HEALTH: SCLEROTHERAPY AND LASER THERAPY TREATMENTS FOR VARICOSE VEINS

HEALTH: SCLEROTHERAPY AND LASER THERAPY TREATMENTS FOR VARICOSE VEINS

—DR. JOSHUA FOX

“Varicose veins are often more than a cosmetic problem. Spider veins and larger varicosities can also lead to leg pain, sores, ulcers, night cramps, ankle swelling and leg heaviness that patients do not know to attribute to their unsightly varicose veins. Until recently, the primary option for varicose vein removal was a surgical procedure called ‘stripping and ligation,’ during which the affected veins would be removed invasively. However, this approach requires general anesthesia, and often leads to scarring and an eventual return of varicosities. Two new approaches — sclerotherapy and laser therapy — are leading more and more patients to pursue relief from varicose veins.”