Is Microfoam Ablation the Best Way to Treat My Painful Varicose Veins?
Author: StrideCare Internal Team
It’s a safe assumption that many of the roughly 25 million men and women suffering from painful varicose veins think the only treatment option for them is surgery. The good news is that couldn’t be further from the truth. Thanks to tremendous medical advancements in technology and equipment, doctors aren’t so quick to suggest that their patients go under the knife. In many cases, there are minimally invasive options to treat varicose veins without surgery, with one of them being microfoam ablation. But is microfoam ablation the right treatment option for your unique situation?
The quick answer is, “that all depends.” A consultation with your vein doctor can determine the type, severity, and location of your vein problem. If it’s obvious that you have larger, tortuous (twisted) veins, or you’ve been previously treated with other methods that were not effective, then microfoam ablation may be right for you.
The key is not to delay seeking help. If you delay, the appearance of those veins may worsen over time. It’s also worth noting that the occasional achiness, throbbing, numbness, and cramping you’re experiencing now can get worse and lead to more serious complications and conditions, including:
- Chronic Venous Insufficiency
- Skin and Foot Ulcers
- Phlebitis and Thrombophlebitis
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
- Restless Leg Syndrome
An average of one in every three adults over the age of 45 develops some form of vein disease. If you are experiencing symptoms like the ones above and want to avoid more serious complications, it is critical that you visit a vascular expert soon. Your vein doctor will likely first recommend you wear compression stockings, which are a great way to encourage healthy blood flow and possibly avoid future procedures. If compression stockings do not work or are not providing enough relief, there are additional options.
What Happens to The Vein with Microfoam Ablation?
Microfoam ablation is a popular minimally invasive option because it removes painful varicose veins by damaging them from the inside, so they collapse and gradually disappear. As a result, the appearance of your legs will look significantly better, and the painful symptoms that previously wouldn’t go away will finally subside.
Microfoam ablation is best suited for larger, tortuous (twisted) veins as well as veins above and below the knee.
Here’s how microfoam ablation works:
With microfoam ablation, your vein specialist applies a local anesthetic to the treatment area to ensure you remain as comfortable as possible throughout the treatment. Once you are numb, he or she will inject a special microfoam into your affected veins—all without the use of heat or tumescent. The foam fills the desired section of the vein, and the diseased vein collapses. Blood flow then shifts to healthier veins nearby.
The immediate benefit of microfoam ablation is that by collapsing the vein, this relieves pressure and inflammation without affecting the surface of the skin. And while the vein disappears over time, patients experience instant relief from a variety of painful symptoms:
- Swelling
- Tiredness
- Achiness and pain
- Restless legs
- Heaviness
- Cramping
- Throbbing
- Itching
- Numbness
Microfoam ablation differs slightly from two other minimally invasive treatments for varicose veins, sclerotherapy and radiofrequency ablation. Each serves a purpose in treating specific vein conditions, though there can be some overlap. Below is a brief description of sclerotherapy and radiofrequency ablation:
Sclerotherapy — Similar to microfoam ablation, sclerotherapy also involves injecting a chemical solution full of sclerosing agents (either in liquid or foam form) into the affected veins. This solution irritates vein walls and causes the vein to collapse and disappear. But while microfoam ablation is typically reserved for larger veins, sclerotherapy is best suited for small and medium vein issues and can improve spider veins on the thighs, calves, and feet.
Radiofrequency Ablation — Radiofrequency ablation is a good option for patients who suffer from mild to moderate varicose veins as well as those who need relief from enlarged veins that have filled with blood. A thin catheter is inserted into the diseased vein through a small puncture that does not leave a scar. Under ultrasound guidance, the catheter is guided up into the great saphenous vein in the thigh or the small saphenous vein in the calf. The radiofrequency energy is delivered to the inside of the vein, heating and sealing the vein closed.
How Painful Is Microfoam Ablation?
Immediately following your microfoam ablation procedure, you may notice swelling, bruising, and tenderness around your treated areas. But there are rarely scars. These side effects are normal and typically resolve on their own within a few days of treatment. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen help alleviate pain in these situations. Most patients report returning to their normal daily activities after one to two days following treatment.
Patients will be able to start feeling and seeing the results of their microfoam ablation within three to six weeks of treatment, with ultimate results becoming apparent within three to six months.
StrideCare Are Vein Specialists for Microfoam Ablation
You don’t need to continue suffering from painful varicose veins. Our expert doctors and caring staff at StrideCare utilize the latest technologies and minimally invasive procedures to help patients with a variety of vein and artery diseases. The vascular physicians at StrideCare are board-certified diagnostic radiologists with additional fellowship training in vascular and interventional radiology.
StrideCare is a leader in performing advanced procedures to treat issues such as varicose veins, spider veins, venous insufficiency, peripheral artery disease, pelvic congestion syndrome, iliac vein compression and more—all while providing compassionate care.
Prior to starting any new treatment or questions regarding a medical condition, always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
StrideCare serves the South Texas area including Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Round Rock, Bastrop, Brushy Creek, Cedar Park, Converse, Georgetown, Hutto, Kyle, Leander, Marble Falls, New Braunfels, Pasadena, Pearland, Pflugerville, San Marcos, Schertz, Houston, Sugar Land, Katy, Webster, Bay City, Clear Lake, Lake Jackson, The Woodlands, Universal City, Spring, Kingwood, Stafford, Conroe, Texas City, Cypress, League City, Bellaire, and more.
