Treatment
How Do Your Legs Feel & Look Right Now?
Do they hurt? Is there swelling? Are there unwelcome spider veins or varicose veins?
Maybe they get tired by the end of the day or cramp at night?
Imagine what life would be like if you didn’t have to live with these problems.
Let’s eliminate pain & embarrassment in your legs by following our 3 step process below:
STEP 1: Consultation
There is nothing worse than seeing a doctor who doesn’t listen, is dry, is rude, or is in too much of a hurry.
At Israel Vein Center, you will be listened to and encounter a friendly staff that will make sure you get the best care.
That care will come from out team of experts which includes a provider and an ultrasonographer on the first visit.
STEP 2: Ultrasound
Do you hate leaving a doctor’s office to go get x-rays, labs, or other burdensome imaging? Do you hate having to wait days, weeks or even months to make appointments to receive an ultrasound and then make another appointment to go back and see your doctor.
You won’t do that at Israel Vein Center.
At Israel Vein Center, you will receive a consultations and ultrasound at the same visit. We do onsite ultrasound and diagnostics to ensure you waste as little time as possible. You will get same-day results from one of our providers.
STEP 3: Treatment Plan
We guarantee that you will leave with a great treatment plan.
There are many different options such as radiofrequency, VenasealTM, sclerotherapy, pneumatic compression, and more.
We will ensure that you get the perfect customized treatment based on your needs and goals. Don’t suffer from leg problems any longer.
Learn more about our treatments by scrolling below.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is an injectable foam that is used in treating all types of varicose veins and spider veins. The foam is injected with or without ultrasound guidance in an outpatient setting.
The treatment does not require any incisions and usually takes less than 30 minutes to administer. Patients may resume most activities same day and heavy exercise after 1 week.
Sclerotherapy causes the vein to scar down and forces blood to reroute to healthier veins. The collapsed vein is reabsorbed into the local tissue and eventually fades away.
Radiofrequency Ablation
Radiofrequency ablation is a treatment device that is placed into a diseased vein under ultrasound guidance through a small opening in the skin.
The small device delivers heat to the vein wall, causing it to shrink and seal closed.
Once the diseased vein is closed, blood will reroute itself to other healthy veins. The great thing about radiofrequency ablation is that its minimally invasive outpatient procedure that gets you back to normal the very same day.
FAQ Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are a very common form of Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI). They occur when valves found inside the vein begin to fail, and the flow of blood back to the heart becomes impaired.
This can cause pooling of blood, which puts the veins under increased pressure and leads to the sudden or gradual appearance of larger varicose veins or smaller thread or spider veins.
Varicose veins are not initially dangerous. They are usually, at worst, unsightly and may cause minor discomfort. But chronic venous disease is a progressive disease and, if left untreated altogether, varicose veins can ultimately cause a range of far more serious and lasting problems.
Varicose veins may cause:
- Feeling of cold or numbness in the feet or toes
- Tingling
- Heaviness
- Cramping
- Burning or Throbbing
- Itchiness
- Edema or swelling
- Restless leg syndrome
- Bleeding
- Open wounds
What causes varicose veins?
Varicose veins are enlarged, swollen veins raised to the surface of the skin. Spider veins are similar but smaller and bluish in color. The direct cause is a condition called venous insufficiency, wherein valves designed to prevent blood from flowing backward become weak and allow blood to pool in the vein. The underlying risk factors can include heredity, age, female gender, prior pregnancy, prolonged standing, hormone changes, and obesity.
When blood gets pooled in your veins, it can lead to a range of symptoms and related complications. Varicose veins can make the skin dry and itchy and can make your legs feel heavy or tired. They can cause chronic pain and become swollen. If the problem persists, they can also have a profound effect on our mental well-being and affecting how we exercise or socialize.
Chronic Venous Insufficiency is a progressive disease: if left untreated altogether, varicose veins can ultimately cause a range of far more serious and lasting problems.
If the skin gets broken, for instance, it can take a long time for the bleeding to stop or for these wounds to heal. And if ulcers like these persist, there is a risk of infection and other serious complications like further infection in the bloodstream or, in one of the worst case scenarios, limb loss.
In addition, if the blood in the veins starts to clot, this can lead not just to extremely painful swelling (called phlebitis), but to potentially fatal complications like Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
DVT is associated with chronic pain, ulcers and swelling, but it also carries the risk that a blood clot ends up blocking part of your lungs. This blockage can cause permanent lung damage and can, in turn, trigger a heart attack and potentially death.
Though varicose veins don’t usually cause severe medical issues, they could potentially lead to sores, bleeding, superficial thrombophlebitis and deep vein thrombosis. To avoid medical complications from varicose veins, the Israel Vein Center offers several minimally invasive treatment options that will save you from unnecessary surgery to remove the veins. We use technologically advanced methods such as radiofrequency ablation to heat and seal the abnormal vein shut or specialized foam that is inserted into and shrinks the vein. We offer the full spectrum of the most advanced minimally invasive modalities for the treatment of varicose veins including radiofrequency ablation and sclerotherapy. The choice of treatment method depends on many factors and is personalized to every patient.
Before recommending the treatment that’s best for your veins, our vein experts perform a Doppler venous ultrasound. Doppler imaging allows them to diagnose your vein condition and create an individualized treatment plan. After treatment, the varicose veins are permanently closed and then gradually disappear as they’re either reabsorbed or shrink. Venous insufficiency and any of the related symptoms are also eliminated. Your body is also able to restore healthy circulation by rerouting blood through other veins.
Our experts in venous care will carry out a full duplex ultrasound of the affected area. We’ll assess the cause of your varicose veins and, and detect any clotting or other abnormalities in your veins. After your consultation, you will have a better understanding of your varicose veins and the most suitable treatment for you.
Depending on the outcome of this consultation, we’ll book you in for a return visit where we’ll carry out treatment. Several weeks after your treatment, we'll arrange to see you again, to ensure the veins we have targeted have been properly closed.
If you’ve had varicose vein treatment on your leg(s), we will ask you to wear compression stockings for up to 2 weeks (during the second week, you can take these off at night).
While treatments can effectively reduce or eliminate varicose veins in legs, new ones might develop over time due to factors like genetics or lifestyle. Regular follow-ups and maintenance are advised to keep an eye on the development of new varicose veins.
FAQ Spider Veins
Similarly to varicose veins, spider veins are caused by failing valves that allow blood to flow in the wrong direction and pool in the veins. Spider veins appear as tiny webs beneath the skin, coloured red, blue or purple.
The venous valves may be damaged or weakened for a number of reasons, including genetics, diet or a lack of exercise. Other common risk factors include age, exposure to cold weather, or pregnancy.
While spider veins are sometimes dismissed as merely a cosmetic issue, spider veins on the legs can be symptomatic, and cause irritation, itching or even burning sensations if left untreated. Some people dislike the appearance of these veins, which can lead to lowered self-image.
Unfortunately, no. Without proper medical assessment and treatment, the damaged veins on the face will not disappear. And, just like varicose veins, leaving spider veins untreated will lead to them spreading and worsening.
Absolutely! Contrary to popular belief, surgery or vein stripping is not the only method to remove abnormal veins. Patients who undergo surgery or vein stripping experience longer and more complex recovery. Currently, the best way to treat these veins are through the minimally invasive methods offered at the Israel Vein Clinic.
A thorough consultation is given both before and after the actual treatment. The first of these consists of a talk and assessment with one of our vein specialists. This appointment usually takes around 30 minutes; the doctor will assess your veins and inform you of your treatment options.
If you choose to go ahead with the proposed treatment plan then a time and date will be booked. After the treatment, you will return for another consultation to monitor your recovery process and to see if any further treatment is required.
Spider veins are treated with sclerotherapy. A sclerotherapy solution is injected into the veins themselves using a tiny needle barely visible with the naked eye. The treatment lasts 30 minutes to an hour. Although some results are seen immediately, it usually takes 1-2 months to see the final result. In some cases, multiple treatments may be required to achieve desired results. Laser is usually not recommended as a first option because laser is unable to treat the reticular veins that feed spider veins.
In the clinic, we will have applied cotton roll dressings to the injected areas, secured with tape to provide direct pressure. It is recommended to keep these dressings on and ensure they remain dry for 2 days. Some patients find wearing tights helpful in keeping the dressings in place.
Maintain your normal activities, including regular walking throughout the day. We advise refraining from flying for a full 7 days after treatment to reduce the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis. It is recommended to avoid prolonged standing and strenuous physical activities such as high-impact aerobics, weightlifting, and running for 1 week after treatment.
Hot baths, saunas, and sunbathing should be avoided for at least 1 week following treatment, as they can increase inflammation and prolong the healing process. If you are exposed to the sun, ensure you apply SPF 50+ on the treated areas.
It is best to refrain from leg waxing for 4-6 weeks, as it may further irritate the skin.
In the rare instance of developing an area of increasing redness, hotness, and pain that does not improve with pain relief, please contact our team and provide pictures of the affected area.