Varicose veins aren’t simply an aesthetic condition. Medium to large varicose veins can cause pain and other uncomfortable symptoms, and they increase the risk of more serious conditions such as deep vein thrombosis.
Surgery isn’t always required to treat bothersome varicose veins. In many cases, vascular specialists at Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG) Vascular Center can effectively treat varicose veins using a procedure called radiofrequency ablation.
What is radiofrequency ablation?
Radiofrequency ablation, a type of endovenous thermal ablation, is a method for removing varicose veins without surgery. During the procedure, a vascular specialist uses high-frequency sound waves to seal off a varicose vein, which allows the surrounding healthy veins to restore normal blood flow in the legs.
Before the procedure, local anesthesia is used to numb the area of the leg around the varicose vein. A small incision is made below the knee or near the ankle, and a small tube called a catheter is inserted and guided to the varicose vein.
Once the catheter is in place, a thin tool is moved through the catheter up to the vein. The tool then generates heat via sound waves, which seals off the vein.
What conditions can radiofrequency ablation treat?
Radiofrequency ablation is used to treat conditions affecting the veins, most commonly varicose veins. Varicose veins form when blood flows backward inside a vein rather than forward to the heart, causing the vein wall to weaken.
Another type of venous disease known as chronic venous insufficiency can also be treated using radiofrequency ablation. This condition occurs when veins in the legs have difficulty pumping blood to the heart.
Outside of treating venous disease, radiofrequency ablation can be used to heat and destroy other abnormalities, including nerves responsible for pain, tumors and heart tissue that’s causing irregular heart rhythms.
What are the benefits of radiofrequency ablation?
Radiofrequency ablation offers several benefits when compared with varicose vein surgery. For one, ablation requires only a tiny incision to access the body.
During varicose vein surgery, veins are removed through multiple incisions. Following surgery, patients generally require several weeks to fully recover.
Radiofrequency ablation, on the other hand, leaves the veins in place, simply sealing them off. Patients typically experience fewer complications and quicker recovery.
How effective is radiofrequency ablation?
Radiofrequency ablation offers a high success rate. Following the procedure, varicose veins will disappear, improving appearance, and symptoms will dissipate, improving quality of life.
After radiofrequency ablation, you may experience fleeting side effects, including bruising, pain and numbness or tingling. These effects typically go away within days of the procedure.
Choose NGPG for radiofrequency ablation
If you develop some type of venous disease, including chronic venous insufficiency or varicose veins, you can rely on the team of specialists at NGPG Vascular Center for the advanced care you need, including radiofrequency ablation.
We perform this minimally invasive treatment option at the Vascular Center on an outpatient basis. The one-hour procedure can provide you relief from vein-related discomfort and other symptoms. Our goal is to get you back on your feet and comfortable in your skin as quickly as possible.