Varicose Vein Treatment Cleveland
Varicose veins are caused by damaged vein valves that allow blood to flow in the wrong direction leading to swollen, bulging veins that are visible on the surface of the skin. Approximately 25% of adults suffer from varicose veins. Usually affecting the legs, varicose veins are unsightly and cause many symptoms, including pain, swelling, throbbing, heaviness, aching, fatigue, itchiness, restless legs and cramping. Some varicose veins lie unseen, deep below the skin’s surface, often worsening over time. There are a variety of factors that contribute to varicose veins such as age, obesity, pregnancy, gender, genetics and occupations that involve prolonged sitting or standing. It is important to have veins evaluated by a vascular specialist who can detect circulatory problems and treat the underlying cause.
Treatments
Varicose Veins may be treated using various office-based sterile procedures including Sclerotherapy and Thermal Radiofrequency. Treatments vary depending on the size and severity of the veins and individual patient history.
Spider Veins
Spider veins are also referred to as telangiectasias, which are tiny purple or red clusters of blood vessels that are close to the skin’s surface. Spider veins can also be an indicator of an underlying or worsening venous disease.
Treatments for Varicose and Spider Veins
Dr. Kezele uses various office-based sterile procedures including visual and ultrasound guided sclerotherapy, radiofrequency (RF) ablation as well as VenaSeal™ closure system. During your consultation with Dr. Kezele, he will explain the treatment options, which can vary depending on the size and severity of the veins, individual patient history as well as insurance coverage for those procedures.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is often performed in less than 30 minutes and most patients may immediately return to their normal activities after treatment. Sclerotherapy is performed using tiny needles to inject a sclerosant solution directly into the varicose and spider veins to treat both the symptoms and the vein appearance.
Sometimes your sclerotherapy treatment may include the use of ultrasound. Dr. Kezele will use ultrasound-guided “foam” sclerotherapy to treat larger varicose veins not easily seen by the eye at the surface of the skin. Smaller spider veins near the skin’s surface typically only need visual sclerotherapy.
Radiofrequency Ablation
Radiofrequency ablation is a very safe medical procedure that utilizes a catheter and a heating element to treat the diseased vein. Typically the procedure is performed in less than one hour in our office so you do not need to be concerned with hospital bills and surprise medical bills. Dr. Kezele uses ultrasound guidance to insert the small catheter into the diseased vein(s). The catheter tip delivers heat into the vein to collapse the unhealthy vein. Most patients report very little discomfort with radiofrequency ablation.
VenaSeal
The VenaSeal™ closure system is the latest advancement in the treatment of varicose veins that uses a proprietary medical adhesive that seals the vein. This approach eliminates the risk of nerve injury that is often a risk associated with certain thermal procedures. Venaseal is administered without the use of tumescent anesthesia, avoiding patient discomfort associated with multiple needle sticks.
VenaSeal has no downtime and most patients have reported minimal to no pain. There is also no need to wear compression stockings after treatment which is appealing to patients.
Results
Dr. Kezele has been performing leg vein procedures for over 25 years and will use the safest and most effective approach for each individual patient.
Many variables can contribute to each patient’s outcome of varicose vein and/or spider vein treatment. No patient’s experience is the same; the number of treatments needed as well as the length of time that passes until results are complete vary by person. Below are some of Dr. Kezele’s patients which are representative of common before and after conditions and results. The time in between these before and after pictures ranges from 3 to 12 months.
