It’s officially summer in Michigan. That means most of us are trading in our pants for shorts, dresses, skirts, and even swimsuits.
However, if varicose veins are holding you back from doing the things you love during the summer, there are new approaches to fixing these veins that are less painful and require less recovery time.
“We used to use a heat-based treatment called radiofrequency thermal ablation to fix veins,” said Dr. Peter Burke, cardiologist and vein expert at the McLaren Vein Clinic. “However, we now use newer methods that offer less discomfort and minimal recovery time.”
These two main treatments are:
VenaSeal (Vein Glue): This is a special medical “super glue” that seals the problem vein shut.
Varithena (Vein Foam): This is a foam that causes the vein to close up.
“You’ll walk out of the procedure room with your leg wrapped and can get right back to most of your normal activities,” said Dr. Burke. “Most patients just need to keep their leg dry for two days. On the third day, they can shower; after one week, they can get back to baths or swimming in pools or lakes.”
Most people will not need any pain medication, and the risks are very low.
In very rare cases, some people might have a mild reaction to the vein foam or glue, which is easily treatable with an allergy medicine like Benadryl. The risk of a serious complication like a blood clot (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT) is extremely low—less than 0.1%—and there are many precautions to prevent this.
To decide on the best care plan for each patient, an ultrasound is performed to take an in-depth look at the veins in the legs. The test results are then sent to Dr. Burke, who creates a tailored treatment plan just for you.
The McLaren Vein Clinic is now accepting new patients, and appointments can be made within two to four weeks. To schedule an appointment, call (517) 347-1968.
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