Venous Ablation

In most people, varicose veins pose no danger to their health. However, they may cause discomfort, like leg pain, burning, or swelling. Venous ablation is a treatment at Somerset Surgical Associates, LLC, for problematic varicose veins. To find out more about venous ablation and how it can help get rid of your varicose veins, call the office in Somerville, New Jersey, or schedule a consultation online today.

What is venous ablation?

Venous ablation is a minimally invasive treatment for varicose veins. Varicose veins develop when there’s damage to a valve in the vein. 

Valves open and close, helping push blood back to your heart and lungs. A damaged valve allows blood to flow backward and pool, causing the vein to enlarge and become visible.  

During venous ablation, Somerset Surgical Associates, LLC, uses radiofrequency ablation therapy to heat the enlarged vein, causing it to collapse and close. Your body reroutes blood through a healthy vein, and the varicose vein disappears over time.

Am I a candidate for venous ablation?

Your provider at Somerset Surgical Associates, LLC, determines if you’re a candidate for venous ablation after a consultation. 

Varicose veins rarely cause health problems. However, they can cause leg pain or swelling in the ankles. Varicose veins are also a symptom of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a circulation problem that affects the veins in the legs. 

Your provider may consider you a candidate for venous ablation if your varicose veins cause discomfort or affect circulation. You may need a vascular ultrasound before undergoing venous ablation for vein closure to confirm that you have circulation problems.

What happens during venous ablation?

Venous ablation is an outpatient procedure. Your provider cleans your skin with an antiseptic agent and injects local anesthetic along the length of the targeted vein. The surgeon makes a small incision near a vein and inserts the catheter. They advance the radiofrequency ablation electrode through the catheter to your diseased vein and activate the electrode, using radiofrequency energy to heat and shut down the vein. 

What happens after venous ablation?

Your provider at Somerset Surgical Associates, LLC, provides instructions on how to care for your legs following your vein closure procedure. You may need to keep your legs elevated when sitting and wear compression stockings to support circulation. 

You can resume most of your usual activities following venous ablation. Somerset Surgical Associates, LLC, encourages exercise after this minimally invasive therapy to improve circulation and prevent complications.

Full recovery may take a week or two. Somerset Surgical Associates, LLC, may recommend a series of venous ablation treatments to get the best results.

To learn more about venous ablation for varicose veins, call Somerset Surgical Associates, LLC, or schedule an appointment online today.