When the valves of the veins start to malfunction, a person may notice varicose veins. The reasons for this malfunction are many, and may include factors such as family history and obesity.

If you experience the symptoms of varicose veins, such as burning, throbbing or heaviness in the legs, it is a good idea to see you doctor and discuss your options in varicose vein treatment.

A common misconception is that varicose veins will heal with the passage of time, but the truth is that there is no possibility of them healing on their own. In fact, if they are left untreated, they can lead to worse conditions such as leg ulcers.

Years ago, varicose vein stripping was the method employed to treat varicose veins, but it was very painful and also required many days for recovery.

Modern Day Technology has made it almost Painless

Modern day technology has greatly simplified the process of varicose vein stripping, and has made it less painful as well as quicker to recover from. The affected area can be diagnosed through ultrasound tests or physical examination, and treatment may be performed through minimally invasive procedures that are virtually painless.

With varicose vein stripping, the upper end of the problematic vein is tied up and removed from the leg while the patient is under general anesthesia.

Basically, varicose vein stripping entails the removal of large veins, as well as closing off of smaller vein tributaries. When the smaller vein is removed, a technique known as small incision avulsion is employed.

Varicose vein stripping is most often used to better the appearance of the legs as well as to provide relief from the sometimes painful symptoms of varicose veins. The objective of varicose vein stripping is to relieve pain as well as to improve circulation of the blood through the venous system.

Varicose vein stripping is indicated after a physician has performed a complete ultrasound evaluation of the veins and has determined that the malfunctioning veins require stripping.

Varicose vein stripping is an out-patient procedure, though it may also be performed in an operating room with the patient receiving general or spinal anesthesia. The risks involved with varicose vein stripping are not great, and the procedure is performed on patients that are in good health.

Blood clots can be one of the concerns after surgery, which is typical with all forms of vein surgery. Other potential complications include allergic reactions, problems with breathing, bleeding and infection.

In order to control bleeding and swelling, doctors will use elastic bandages that will also help promote healing. In addition, compression stockings are also recommended as a part of the recovery process.

Patients may receive a mild analgesic, and are told to take ten to twelve short walks daily. Within two weeks of the procedure, most patients should be able to return to their normal daily activities.

Most varicose veins cause people little or no medical problems, and are usually considered a cosmetic issue. However, in some cases additional problems nay exist which will prompt a physician to take extreme action,

With most cases of varicose veins, stripping them from the body is the only alternative.

During the past ten or 15 years, alternative means of removing or reducing varicose veins have developed and tried, but currently there is no information concerning the long-term effects of these methods as well as no known record of recurrence.

With varicose veins stripping the recurrence is about five percent.

As an alternative to varicose veins stripping, some try needle therapy, which involves the injection of a chemical into the vein, which causes scar tissue to form inside the vein, effectively shutting off its use. Sclerotherapy, as it is known is normally limited to small veins below the knee.

It is not used on large varicose veins or on veins that end at the groin nor on obese patients. In most of these cases varicose veins stripping is the only option.

Stripping Is Only Option for Larger Varicose Veins

Saphenous veins, the largest veins near the surface of the skin, can only be treated by varicose veins stripping. For this operation, a surgeon will make two cuts, one in the groin and one near the ankle and pass a wire from the ankle to the open end near the groin.

Smaller veins are tied off and once the wire is run all the way up, the surgeon will grip the groin end and pull, bringing the vein out with it.

This type of surgery may require an overnight stay in the hospital, and recovery can take as long as two to six weeks. During your recovery, under direction of the doctor, you should begin short walking session, typically five minutes at a time for the first few days and then getting longer as you recover from the varicose veins stripping operation.

Depending on their occupation, a person undergoing this operation can usually return to work within two weeks.

Since 1999, a closure technique has been used in which a catheter is inserted into the vein, which applies a radio frequency to the vein wall causing it to shrink and seal shut. When the vein has been put out of commission adjacent veins take over its duties to help restore normal blood flow from the legs.

This minimally invasive procedure is being used in place of varicose veins stripping, but long term effects are not yet known.