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Varicose vein - noninvasive treatment - Recovery

Alternative Names

Sclerotherapy; Laser therapy - varicose veins; Radiofrequency vein ablation; Endovenous thermal ablation; Transilluminated power phlebotomy; Endovenous laser ablation; Varicose vein therapy

After the Procedure:

Your legs may be wrapped with bandages to control swelling and bleeding for 2 to 3 days after your treatment.

Usually patients can start their normal activities within a day or so after many of these treatments. You will need to wear compression stockings during the day for a week after treatment.

Your doctor may look inside your leg using ultrasound a few days after treatment to make sure the vein is sealed off.

Outlook (Prognosis):

These treatments are usually very successful. They reduce pain, and are also a good way to improve the appearance of the leg. Many of these treatments cause very little scarring, bruising, or swelling.

To prevent varicose veins from coming back, it is important for you to wear compression stockings.

Reviewed last on: 1/25/2011
Shabir Bhimji, MD, PhD, Specializing in General Surgery, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Midland, TX. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Freischlag JA, Heller JA. Venous disease. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 68.

Nijsten T, van den Bos RR, Goldman MP, et al. Minimally invasive techniques in the treatment of saphenous varicose veins. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. Jan 2009;60(1).

Van den Bos R, Arends L, Kockaert M, Neumann M, Nijsten T. Endovenous therapies of lower extremity varicosities: a meta-analysis. J Vasc Surg. 2009;49:230-239.

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