Vascular Surgery
Varicose Veins
(ELAS, SEPS, Stab Phlebectomy, Sclerotherapy, Spider Veins)
Surgical Associates of Marshall County offers diagnosis and varicose veins treatment in Albertville and Guntersville, Alabama.
Varicose veins are twisted, swollen veins that most commonly develop in the legs, causing blood to pool. The veins often grow painful and cause the skin surrounding the veins to bulge, creating embarrassing bumps and discoloration on the skin.
Surgical Associates of Marshall County also offers treatment for spider veins in Albertville and Guntersville.
What Causes Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins develop when the valves pushing blood towards the heart become faulty. Instead of traveling towards the heart, the blood becomes trapped and begins to pool in the leg veins, ultimately causing the vein to swell.
Varicose veins can develop anywhere in the body, but are most common in the legs and primarily occur in women. Pregnancy, weight gain and sitting or standing for extended periods of time all increase your risk of developing varicose veins.
Symptoms of varicose veins include:
- Heaviness, aching, pain or burning sensation in the legs
- Visible, bulging, swollen veins
- Ankle swelling
- Skin discoloration
- Skin ulcers
Varicose Veins Treatment
Lifestyle changes are often not enough to treat severe cases of varicose veins. If left untreated, varicose veins can increase your risk for other venous diseases. In many situations, varicose veins worsen overtime.
Minimally invasive surgical solutions are available to remove varicose veins and spider veins. Surgical Associates of Marshall County use lasers for varicose veins treatment whenever possible to reduce post-operative pain, improve vein health and reduce the appearance of varicose veins.
Varicose veins treatment options include:
- Endovenous Laser Ablation of the Saphenous Vein (ELAS). During this procedure, a small laser fiber is directed into the varicose vein with the guidance of an ultrasound. The laser then generates heat, causing the vein to collapse. There is no risk of damage to the surrounding tissue, and blood flow is naturally redirected around the collapsed vein.
- Subfascial Endoscopic Perforator Surgery (SEPS). This minimally invasive procedure uses a small balloon catheter that is inserted into the tissue surrounding the varicose veins. Varicose veins are obstructed so blood is redirected around the problematic vein.
- Stab Phlebectomy (Microphlebectomy). This is also known as an ambulatory phlebectomy. During this procedure, varicose veins are removed through a series of minor incisions directly over the damaged veins.
- Sclerotherapy. During this procedure, a specialized solution is injected into the varicose vein. This liquid irritates the lining of the vein and causes it to swell shut, eventually causing it to shrivel as blood travels around the problem vein.
Each of these varicose vein treatment options are outpatient procedures, and involve minimal post-operative scarring and discomfort.