Untimely access to a phlebologist with developed varicose veins is the main reason why it is too late to act on the disease with an ointment or gel. The doctor should prescribe more effective treatment, of which the most effective is surgery for varicose veins in the legs.
Remember that even surgical removal of the affected vessel does not guarantee complete recovery - the disease can spread to healthy tissue.
Phlebologist - why contact him
Who should be contacted if varicose veins are suspected? We should not wait for the spread of the disease, the first symptoms should already be the main reason for seeking medical help. Only a phlebologist can confirm or deny the diagnosis and should be contacted first. Only he, if necessary, can refer to another specialist.
For which symptoms should you see a phlebologist immediately? There are not so few:
- bright vascular stars that appear on the lower limbs;
- heaviness in the legs, usually accompanied by severe swelling;
- epileptic seizures, most often bothersome at night;
- the skin tone changes, it becomes darker and more artificial.
If you do not rush to the hospital, the disease will develop quickly, the spider veins will start to grow larger and protrude above the skin. The only treatment option in such cases is surgery for varicose veins in the legs, which a phlebologist will prescribe after a thorough examination.
What types of leg surgery can be prescribed by a phlebologist
Surgical treatment may be prescribed depending on the degree of vascular injury. Only a phlebologist can determine which method to get rid of the disease is necessary, but this will require a series of studies.
Types of leg surgery:
- Miniflebectomy. It is performed with minor vascular lesions. During the operation, the doctor makes punctures through which the veins are removed. After the procedure, minor defects remain on the lower extremities, which are almost invisible.
- Phlebectomy. The most common surgery, but also the most traumatic for the skin, which leaves scars. The surgeon makes long incisions through which he removes the vessels affected by the disease. Rehabilitation is short - the next day the patient can go home.
- Short stripping. Incisions are not made - the surgeon makes several perforations through which only the diseased part of the vessel is removed.
- Sclerotherapy. A special substance is injected into the affected vessels, it sticks to the destroyed tissues. There is no postoperative period at all - the patient can go home immediately after the procedure.
- Endovenous coagulation. Exposing the affected veins with a laser is the safest and fastest method of treatment. Efficacy and painlessness are the main advantages of the treatment.
Surgery for varicose veins in the legs is the most extreme treatment option, although in most cases it turns out to be the most effective.
Varicose vein laser surgery
New methods in medicine make it possible to get rid of the affected vessels of the lower extremities practically without pain and with minor injuries. Laser surgery for varicose veins is a great alternative to surgical treatment.
When is endovenous coagulation indicated? There are not so few reasons for the operation, and not all of them respond to local treatment or the pill:
- varicose veins, in which large and important vessels have been affected;
- heaviness and swelling of the lower extremities that do not respond to other treatments;
- trophic changes were found on the skin;
- The lower extremities are covered with ulcers which are not affected by topical medications.
How is the operation going? The surgeon makes an incision in front of the affected vessel and inserts a special probe with a laser tip. The laser sticks the affected areas of the vessel, after which the next incision is made and venous restoration continues.
Laser treatment - what are the advantages of the method over other operations
Despite the huge number of types of operations for varicose veins, it is the laser effect that has gained popularity among patients. An important role here is attributed to the low cost of the procedure, but most often the victims of the disease are attracted by the absence of pain during the operation and the efficiency.
Laser treatment has many benefits which also attract patients:
- immediately after the operation, you can go home and start your daily activities;
- the procedure is performed under local anesthesia;
- no consequences remain on the skin;
- the procedure is completed in just a few hours;
- no need to recover from surgery;
- there is no risk of bruising or bleeding;
- the procedure has virtually no contraindications.
Before the operation, you will need to undergo special studies that will help determine exactly that there is no other treatment option. During further examination, it will also be revealed whether there are any contraindications and whether the laser operation will cause any complications or side effects.
Consequences that may occur after the operation
Even if the operation, despite the chosen method, was successful, there is no guarantee that unpleasant and unexpected consequences will not occur. Most often, especially if surgery has been used, scarring remains and may persist for life. To avoid this, you can find out with the doctor in advance which drugs or folk remedies promote healing and prevent scarring.
Another of the consequences that can occur after surgery is a relapse of the disease. Even if the procedure is successful, doctors cannot guarantee that healthy tissue will not be affected by the disease. Of course, this will not happen immediately, but it is better to carefully monitor the condition of the vessels and immediately consult a doctor at the first signs of damage.
How to avoid unpleasant consequences, you can ask your doctor immediately after the operation. The phlebologist is obliged not only to tell in detail what measures will serve as prevention, but also to recommend drugs or folk remedies that can be used at home to prevent relapses.
Rehabilitation - what to do to avoid complications after surgery
Only after several types of surgery may require rehabilitation, and this period has its own characteristics. The requirements and rules that the patient must follow are determined separately by the specialist, on an individual basis.
Most often during the rehabilitation period, medical underwear is prescribed, which helps to strengthen the walls of the vessels on which surgery was performed. The class and type of compression hosiery is prescribed only by a doctor, in no case can this be done independently - an error in the choice threatens to redevelop the disease. The duration of wearing medical underwear is also determined by the phlebologist - for some patients, several weeks is enough, for others, with complications, they will have to wear the swimsuit longer.
Another step in recovery is to take special medicines that restore blood flow to the operated vessels. Medicines are only prescribed by a phlebologist and many remedies have many contraindications that should be carefully considered before taking them.
Surgery for varicose veins in the legs is almost the only way to get rid of a progressive disease. You shouldn't be afraid to go to the doctor if the disease develops quickly and inexorably, affecting healthy tissue - if you don't stop the disease immediately, even the operation can be powerless.