What Is the Top Treatment for Varicose Veins in America?

Varicose veins are a common problem. Thankfully, there are now several gentle ways to treat them. A few decades ago, vein stripping surgery was the first line of treatment. Now, vein doctors can use tiny catheters and needles to treat veins within the body, rather than cutting them out. The top treatment depends on the patient. Good vein doctors will always conduct a thorough physical exam and any necessary lab work and tests before selecting treatment. Each person has unique venous pathways and individual symptoms and medical histories.

Here are some of the best solutions for varicose veins. Book an appointment with our Harvard-trained vein doctors in New Jersey to learn which one is right for you. All of these are non-surgical, and they don’t necessitate general or spinal anesthesia.

• Varithena: This is a version of sclerotherapy, which injects an irritant into the vein. It causes the vein’s walls to swell and collapse, so blood no longer flows into the faulty blood vessel. Sclerosants come in liquid, foam, and pre-mixed foam concentrations of varying strengths. Your vein doctor will select the best one based on the size and tortuosity of your vein.

• ClosureFast: With this radiofrequency ablation method, doctors inject tumescent anesthesia around the vein to protect adjacent tissue from heat. They position a catheter inside the vein and heat the vein walls with radiofrequency. The thermal energy seals the vein shut, so blood can flow into functional veins.

• VenaSeal: This method injects cyanoacrylate glue into the vein to occlude it. It’s a quick and gentle procedure that requires a skilled doctor to ensure the glue goes where it’s supposed to and fully seals the vein.

• ClariVein: This is a mechanochemical ablation procedure, which means it uses both chemicals and mechanical manipulation to close a vein. Doctors insert a catheter that releases a sclerosant into the vein. The catheter rotates to weaken the vein walls and make the sclerosant more effective.

Is a Minimally Invasive Treatment Better Than Surgery?

Minimally invasive treatment should always be considered first. Only a small percentage of patients are ineligible for non-surgical treatments. These include patients with blood clots in certain veins and patients with severe tortuosity or complications that prevent the insertion of treatment devices. Choose a minimally invasive vein doctor over a vascular surgeon to avoid unnecessary surgery. Some surgeons also perform minimally invasive procedures, but always inquire about this first.

Is Ambulatory Phlebectomy Superior to Vein Stripping?

Ambulatory phlebectomy is a newer surgical alternative to traditional vein stripping surgery. With traditional surgery, vein doctors make a series of deep incisions through which they hook and extract the blood vessel, often a saphenous vein. Vein stripping requires general or spinal anesthesia and includes surgical risks like bleeding, infection, scar tissue, and pain. Vein stripping also results in revascularization (regrowth) of the vein in some cases. When a vein grows back, it doesn’t have valves, so it’s likely to become varicose again.

Minimally invasive treatments don’t enable revascularization, and they have less risks and an easier recovery. Ambulatory phlebectomy is less invasive than traditional surgery, but more invasive than minimally invasive procedures. It involves a series of punctures, instead of incisions, and patients can remain awake during treatment. But ambulatory phlebectomy still involves pulling the vein out of the body, in most cases. It has a longer and more painful recovery than treatments like sclerotherapy.

What Vein Clinic Treats Large Varicose Veins Non-Surgically?

If you want to avoid surgery, choose a vein center that specializes in minimally invasive vein treatments. But don’t just choose any non-surgical center. Select one that’s accredited by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission and run by board certified vein doctors. An alarming number of facilities offer vein treatment without having vein doctors on staff. This can produce temporary results, failed treatments, and life-threatening complications. Cosmetic vein centers can’t effectively treat large varicose veins since they use surface treatments. Qualified vein doctors are required for most varicosities because they stem from deeper veins which need an endovenous approach.

Always inquire about a vein center’s accreditation and technological capabilities. Ask questions like, “Do you use ultrasound guidance for treatments? Do you administer endovenous or only surface treatments? Do you conduct vein mapping tests?” Look for doctors who are either certified by the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine or by the American Board of Medical Specialties (in a vascular field). 

Can I Wear Compression Stockings Instead of Vein Treatments?

If you want to wear compression stockings instead of seeking vein treatment, visit our vein center for a consultation. Compression stockings require a proper fitting to ensure you don’t apply too much or too little pressure. In addition, some patients aren’t advised to wear them. These include patients with peripheral artery disease, blood clots in certain veins, high blood pressure, and certain skin conditions. Varicose veins can cause slow-healing ulcerations that aren’t amenable to the pressure and friction of compression.

You should also consult your vein specialist before wearing compression stockings to avoid wasting your time or money. Compression therapy won’t remove varicose veins. It can only reduce symptoms like swelling and cramping, and it doesn’t work for everyone. Often, a 15-minute procedure is a better alternative to long-term compression therapy.

Where Can I Find the Best Varicose Vein Treatment in NJ?

We offer six excellent locations for varicose vein treatment in New Jersey. We provide the same expert care at each of our locations. Our vein doctors consult each other on patients’ cases. So, when you meet one of our specialists, you get the wisdom of our whole team. We look forward to answering, “What is the best varicose vein treatment in the US” and any additional questions you have.

• Clifton, NJ: 1117 US-46, Suite 205, (973) 447-8166
• Paramus, NJ: 140 NJ-17, Suite 269, (973) 447-8166
• Woodbridge, NJ: 1000 Route 9N, Suite 106, (973) 447-8475
• Woodland Park, NJ: 1167 McBride Avenue, Suite 2, (973) 447-8166
• Scotch Plains, NJ: 2253 South Avenue, Suite 2, (973) 447-8166
• West Orange, NJ: 405 Northfield Avenue, Suite 204, (973) 791-6163