Endovenous Radio Frequency Ablation Treatment

If you are experiencing issues with your legs feeling tired, heavy, weak, achy, cramping, you have restless leg syndrome or have pain on a constant or ongoing basis you may have a venous insufficiency issue. Visiting a vein specialist and having a complete screening is recommended.

If at that time your doctor sees that you are experiencing venous reflux disease (Venous reflux is a condition where the flow of blood through the veins is blocked) causing blood to pool in the legs and at times flow backwards. Superficial venous reflux disease can be progressive. If it is left untreated it may worsen over time and present as skin changes, ulcerations and swelling. All of these can be incredibly painful. One option that may be recommended is Endovenous Radio Frequency Ablation.

What is Endovenous Radio Frequency Ablation?

Prior to the procedure your physician will scan the leg area to be treated using an ultrasound wand, mapping out exactly where he or shell will need to work. Your leg will then be cleaned and sterilized and an injection of localized numbing solution is given as the procedure is done while you are fully awake. Most patients report that this procedure is pain free and the sensation they feel is localized warming.

To begin the ablation, a tiny incision near the knee is made. A catheter is then inserted. Radio frequency heat energy is delivered to the end of the inserted catheter. The heat causes the vein to shrink around the catheter. As the catheter is slowly removed, the treated section of the vein then closes forcing the blood to re-route to deeper healthy veins and the symptoms generally begin to clear immediately. Swelling should begin to dissipate within a week or two.

A bandage is placed over the incision and compression stockings are applied. For the best possible outcome it is always important to follow your doctor’s instructions which may include:

• Avoiding long periods of sitting or standing
• Wearing compression stockings for a designated period of time
• Refraining from strenuous activities until medically cleared
• Drinking lots of water to ensure hydration for proper blood flow

The majority of patients are able to walk out of the doctor’s office immediately following this procedure. This procedure has been FDA-approved since 1999 and over 250,000 procedures have been performed worldwide.

If you are wondering if this procedure could help you we invite you to please visit http://www.weknowveins.com for more information on how to get started today with Dr. Joseph Magnant or give us a call at (239)694-VEIN (8346).