Vein Disease Treatment Options in St. Louis

Do your legs ache? Are they tired or restless? Do they swell or burn after standing for a period of time? Or maybe you just don’t like how they look? Now is the time to do something about it.Advances in modern laser technologies and vein therapy have made treatment of varicose and spider veins more effective than ever. Venous insufficiency is a serious medical issue; left untreated can cause significant medical complications. Most insurance companies will pay for treatment of symptomatic vein problems.

Dr. Thomas Wright approaches vein problems in a comprehensive, step-by-step process. First, an examination to diagnose possible venous insufficiencies is using ultrasound mapping. If venous reflux of the saphenous vein is found, the vein is ablated using a procedure called Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT).

EVLT Procedure Demonstration

http://laserlipoandveins.com/video/procedure.flv

Blood Flow Improvement from EVLT

http://laserlipoandveins.com/video/blood_flow_final.flv

Endovenous Laser Treatment is a treatment alternative to surgical stripping of the greater saphenous vein. A small laser fiber is inserted, usually through a needle stick in the skin, into the damaged vein. Pulses of laser light are delivered inside the vein, which causes the vein to collapse and seal shut. The procedure is done in-office under local anesthesia. Following the procedure a bandage or compression hose is placed on the treated leg.

Once the underlying problems are treated in the saphenous vein, the remaining branches below the skin are treated. Deep branches are best treated with sclerotherapy performed with ultrasound guidance. Ultrasound guided sclerotherapy is done with either a liquid or “foamed” sclerosant while Dr. Wright monitors the vein on an ultrasound screen. Ultrasound guided sclerotherapy enables treatment of unseen veins below the surface of the skin otherwise requiring surgical removal. With this procedure, veins can be dealt with at an early stage, helping to prevent further complications.

Sclerotherapy is a treatment using a tiny needle to inject a solution called sclerosant into the veins, irritating the lining of the veins, causing them to close. Sclerotherapy is also used to treat both varicose and spider veins that are seen on the surface of the leg. Problematic larger superficial veins [called varicose veins] are typically “ropey” and visible just below the surface of the skin. Sclerotherapy can help relieve symptoms due to varicose and spider veins. Sclerotherapy of spider and varicose veins is usually done without ultrasound guidance.

The last step is treating the superficial veins in top most layer of the skin, often called “spider veins.” Spider veins are caused by dilations of the most superficial veins in the skin. A vein light is often used for these tiny veins to illuminate hidden vessels that feed the spider veins. This ensures a more complete and accurate treatment. Visual Sclerotherapy of spider veins is generally considered cosmetic. Most insurance will not cover this last type of treatment.