Vein treatment has evolved significantly over the years, and if you’re considering it, you may wonder: “Is vein treatment painful?” But don’t worry! Fortunately, modern vein treatments are virtually painless. In this article, we’ll look at:
- Progress in varicose veins treatments
- Current treatments and how they work
- Common concerns about the pain associated with vein treatment
Progress in Varicose Vein Treatments: From Pain to Painless
It’s generally thought that removing varicose veins is a vein treatment that’s painful and unpleasant. And a long time ago, that was true – patients often experienced discomfort during and after the procedure. This made it less-than-desirable: If you wanted relief from the pain and unsightliness of your varicose veins, you had to face pain from the operation instead!
Vein ligation and stripping was the most common procedure.
This involved making small incisions in the skin, tying off or removing your affected veins, and then closing the incisions with sutures. You had to undergo general anesthesia for this surgery and sometimes even spend the night in hospital.
If this already sounds too much like a hassle, that was only some of it! There were other cons that could put you off, such as
- a long recovery time,
- the potential risks from anesthesia,
- other risks of infections or blood clots,
- some scarring or bruising at the surgery site, and
- up to 60% chance of the varicose veins coming back.
Although this was and is a painful vein treatment, vein stripping or ligation is still recommended in very rare cases. These might include:
- Varicose veins in advanced stages
- Skin sores or ulcers
- Bleeding from veins
The good news is things have moved on and you have several other options that are non-painful vein treatments.
Understanding Vein Treatment Options Today
Is vein treatment painful nowadays? No! This kind of procedure has come a long way since its early days of being an uncomfortable experience.
Thanks to advances in medical technology, vein treatments are now minimally invasive and virtually pain-free.
Here are some of the most common vein treatment options for you today:
- Ultrasound Guided Medical Sclerotherapy
- Endovenous Laser Ablation of the Saphenous Vein (ELAS)
- Ambulatory Phlebectomy
- VenaSeal Closure System
Let’s look at them in turn so you can see which kind of treatment you might prefer. Obviously, you’ll also be guided by your healthcare provider at a vein center.
If you’d prefer to talk to us in person right now, give us a call and let’s discuss the following options that we offer here.
Ultrasound Guided Medical Sclerotherapy
Ultrasound guided medical sclerotherapy is a medical procedure that uses an ultrasound machine to guide the injection of a solution into your affected veins. This causes them to collapse and eventually disappear. Some benefits of this procedure include:
- non-surgical and minimally invasive
- high success rate
- short recovery time
- no scarring
- pain-free
- treats the root of the diseased vein
Endovenous Laser Ablation of the Saphenous Vein (ELAS) Treatment
ELAS is a laser vein treatment where an ultrasound-guided laser is inserted into the vein and emits heat that causes the vein to close. This reduces the appearance of varicose veins and can also improve symptoms such as pain and swelling.
The benefits of endovenous laser vein removal are:
- FDA approval
- non-surgical and minimally invasive
- quick recovery
- no scarring
- reduced risk of complications
- addresses the root cause and prevents the progression of the disease
Ambulatory Phlebectomy
Ambulatory phlebectomy is a surgical procedure that involves making small incisions in the skin and using a hook to remove the damaged vein. It’s done with a local anesthetic, and the micro incisions don’t need stitching. The benefits of this procedure include:
- no scarring
- great long-term results
- symptom relief
VenaSeal Closure System
The VenaSeal Closure System is a medical device that delivers medical adhesive to seal the vein shut, allowing blood to be rerouted to healthy veins. Benefits of the VenaSeal Closure System include:
- quick recovery time
- minimal pain and discomfort during and after the procedure
- ability to return to normal activities immediately
- no need to wear compression stockings
And now, let’s answer a couple more questions that pop up in clinic…
How Painful is Varicose Vein Treatment?
Is vein treatment painful and dreadful? Not at all! Not today, as we’ve explained. However, while vein treatment no longer has to be painful, you may still be concerned about an element of pain during the procedure.
So – while the procedure is being carried out, yes, you may experience some sensations, such as a mild burning or tingling sensation.
However, they’re typically brief and easily tolerable. You can also expect some bruising or swelling in the treated area. This is usually mild and goes away within a few days to a week.
And after the procedure, you can generally return to your normal activities immediately.
What is the Least Painful Varicose Vein Treatment?
It’s difficult to nominate a winner! It’s enough to say that traditional vein stripping or ligation is painful, requires a long recovery time, and is prone to complications. But all the other treatments we discussed are virtually painless!
What is likely to happen is that your vein specialist will recommend the vein treatment most suitable for the type of veins that must be treated.
Some procedures are painless, and some require local anesthesia. If you’re worried, don’t hesitate to voice your concerns to your healthcare practitioner who will find the best solution for you. After all, your comfort and health are the priority!
Say Goodbye to Painful Vein Treatments
If you’re still asking: “Are vein treatments painful?” the answer is still no! We understand the thought of pain is scary. But thanks to the advances in medical technology, you have plenty of choices.
At Denver Vein Center, we want you to be able to step outside with confidence. Our minimally invasive techniques offer you effective vein treatment for both spider veins and varicose veins. And you’ll love being in our comfortable outpatient office instead of a hospital for the treatment!
Why not schedule a consultation with us to discuss your options and learn more about today’s modern treatments?