Why Does My Bulging Leg Vein Hurt?
You have a leg vein that’s not only bulging in an unsightly way, it’s also a source of discomfort, if not downright pain. Painful varicose veins are not uncommon, and we get into why this complication can develop.
Understanding the Different Treatments for Your Varicose Veins
Whether your varicose veins have become uncomfortable or they pose a cosmetic concern, the good news is that there are several effective treatments for eliminating them, and we have them here.
At Upper East Side Cardiology, Dr. Satjit Bhusri and our team have created a true cardiovascular practice in which we provide services for both your heart health and your vein health. To that end, we’ve created the Vein Institute, which offers four great treatment options for banishing problematic varicose veins (and spider veins), and we review them here.
1. VenaSeal™
With the VenaSeal closure system, we deliver a medical adhesive formula that closes your target vein(s). Since your blood can no longer flow through, it finds healthier blood vessels farther below the surface of your skin. As for the treated vein, it eventually shrivels up and is processed by your body.
The VenaSeal system is minimally invasive, and we perform the procedure right here in our office on an outpatient basis. After we get you comfortable, we insert VenaSeal’s Interject Sclerotherapy Needle into your vein and release small amounts of the adhesive along the vein.
Once we’re finished, you’re free to return to your normal activities, as recovery is very quick with VenaSeal.
2. ClosureFast™
Another approach to eliminating varicose veins is our ClosureFast system. Using a small catheter, we use ultrasound to guide the catheter into position, and then we deliver radiofrequency energy into the vein. The heat from this energy causes your vein to shrink and seal off, forcing your blood into healthier vessels.
ClosureFast is an outpatient procedure and there’s no downtime afterward, though we may ask you to wear compression stockings for a week or two.
3. Varithena®
If you want a treatment that only involves a few needle pricks, Varithena is just the ticket. Varithena is an FDA-approved microfoam sclerosant medication that we inject into your varicose veins using ultrasound guidance. The foam expands in your vein, causing it to shut down and seal off.
In most cases, we only need to make one or two needle sticks per treatment, and we perform the procedure in less than an hour. Afterward, we ask that you wear compression stockings for two weeks and that you avoid strenuous activities for the first day or two after your Varithena injections.
4. VeinGogh™
This last treatment is designed for spider veins and not varicose veins, but we wanted to include it here so that you’re familiar with all of our treatments.
With VeinGogh, we deliver microbursts of energy into your spider veins via a small needle laced just under the skin. This energy breaks apart the tiny veins, which are then absorbed by your body.
In most cases, we can perform your VeinGogh procedure in less than an hour, at which point you’re free to leave and get on with your day, though we ask that you avoid strenuous activities for the first 24 hours.
If you’d like to learn more about which procedure is right for your problematic veins, please contact our office on the Upper East Side of New York City to schedule an appointment.
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