Introduction to Minimally Invasive Procedures and Treatments for Varicose Veins

Varicose veins can be unsightly, but they are relatively common and don’t signify a major medical condition. Still, these bulging and/or blue or purple veins — often seen in your legs as you age or if you’re on your feet a lot — can make you self-conscious and may increase leg swelling and muscle cramps.

Fortunately, treating varicose veins is possible. Available treatments can minimize the appearance of the enlarged veins and reduce any discomfort you might feel from these veins stretching over time.

What do varicose veins include? Understand the symptoms of varicose veins, different types, causes, and more with our helpful blog post and video on varicose veins. It may involve several factors such as family history, hormone levels, and high blood pressure to develop varicose veins. Don’t let these blood clots last long term and become complications of varicose veins.

Minimally Invasive Procedures for Varicose Veins

Several available treatments are considered minimally invasive and can be performed in the office of your healthcare provider and a varicose veins specialist in Singapore like Dr. Manish Taneja. While traditional treatments involved surgery to tie off and remove the affected veins, these minimally invasive treatments use local anesthetic, take less than an hour and allow you to be up and walking immediately. You should start to see results in two to three weeks as blood flow is re-routed to other veins and the treated vein dissolves and is absorbed by the body.

Radiofrequency Ablation

In radiofrequency ablation, your varicose veins doctor will make a small incision into the vein, insert a very thin tube, and direct radio waves into the vein to generate heat. You won’t feel any burning, but the heat will damage the vein enough to produce scar tissue and close off or collapse the vein.

During the procedure, external compression and elevation help to position the vein correctly for optimal results. You’ll be given a local anesthetic to minimize any discomfort. Most patients can resume normal activities right away, but you might have some bruising and mild soreness.

Laserendovenous Treatment

Laserendovenous treatment for varicose veins is similar to radiofrequency ablation, but lasers are used to generate the heat that closes off the vein. You may need to wear eye protection for added safety in the presence of laser light.

Venseal/VenaBlock Glue Closure

Venseal and VenaBlock are two similar types of treatments where a glue-like solution is injected into the varicose vein to be treated. These special medical-grade adhesives help to harden the vein, closing it off. As with heat-related treatments, a local anesthetic is used and you should be able to resume your normal activities the same day.

ClariVein Mechanochemical Ablation

The ClariVein treatment is chemical based and uses a special fiber inserted into the vein to evenly spread a medical solution that will close the vein. This procedure is usually very quick, often taking about a half hour.

Cryolaser and Cryosclerotherapy

These types of treatments use a device that creates a cold (“cryo”) flow of air to cool the skin and provide numbness while a laser is used to heat the affected varicose veins. The veins are also treated with a chemical to enhance the process of closing off the vein with minimal side effects.

Conservative Medical and Non-Surgical Treatment

If your varicose veins are smaller or you’d prefer to try non-surgical treatments to reduce any discomfort you are feeling, you have some conservative options.

Lifestyle Changes

Carrying excess weight or living a sedentary lifestyle can make it harder for blood to flow through the veins in your legs and can lead to circulatory problems, including varicose veins. You may be able to take some of the pressure off the veins and improve blood flow through weight loss and exercise. Some types of exercise, though, such as distance running and some weight lifting, can increase blood pooling in the leg area. It’s important to check with your medical professional and engage in the right exercise for your condition and current level of health.

Compression Stockings 

Wearing compression socks or stockings over the legs can help increase blood flow in the right direction through the veins. Your varicose vein doctor can recommend medical-grade compression clothing that will reduce blood pooling in your lower body.

At-Home Treatments

Elevating your legs at home when you’re not active can help with blood flow. You can also try other dietary changes like reducing salt and drinking more water to help improve circulation and reduce inflammation.

Traditional Open Surgery

Vein stripping is a more traditional surgical intervention for varicose veins. During vein stripping surgery, the doctor makes an incision and physically removes the vein. This procedure will require anesthesia and increased recovery time compared to minimally invasive options.

Common and Effective Vein Treatments 

Because of advances in minimally invasive treatments for varicose veins, these enlarged veins don’t need to trouble you physically or visually any longer. With minimally invasive varicose vein procedures at our vein clinic in Singapore, you’ll be able to improve the issue with:

• No major surgery or large incisions
• No scarring
• Fast recovery
• Same-day, in-clinic treatments (no hospital stays)

Prevention of Varicose Veins

Varicose veins cannot be fully prevented. However, making certain lifestyle changes can help to reduce the risk of developing the condition and prevent existing varicose veins from worsening. If questions like “How can you stop getting varicose veins?” or “Can you fix varicose veins?” are going through your mind, read our “How to Prevent Varicose Veins: Best Practices to Follow” blog post where we’ve curated some of the best practices to follow, exercises to reduce varicose veins, slow the condition’s progression, and answers to important questions.

At Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic in Singapore, Dr. Manish Taneja specializes in all types of vascular treatments for a range of medical conditions including peripheral arterial disease and venous diseases. His expertise means you’ll have professional and knowledgeable care no matter which treatment you decide is best for you. Contact us today to learn more about our treatments at our varicose veins clinic and how we can help you.

Other Health Conditions

Venous Diseases (Varicose Veins)

The Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic is your “go-to” facility for various conditions and treatments. To arrange an appointment with Dr. Manish Taneja, our varicose veins specialist, contact us. You can also call us at (+65) 6904 8084 for a consultation.