Do you have varicose veins in your legs? Let's learn everything about Endovenous Thermal Ablation!

When you look at your legs, do you see blue or purple veins that look twisted and knotted like worms? Do your legs hurt when you stand or walk for a long time? Do your legs swell and feel heavy in the evening? Then you may also have a condition called Varicose Veins , which is common to many people. Many people are afraid of surgery for this, and they also don't like it because it takes a long time. But don't worry, now there is a very simple and effective treatment that can cure these varicose veins without surgery. That's what we're talking about today.

Simply put, what is Endovenous Thermal Ablation?

The name may sound a bit complicated, but what happens in this case is very simple. Endovenous Thermal Ablation is a procedure that uses thermal energy (special laser beams or radio waves) to seal off the problem vein from the inside, without making a large incision.

Imagine that you have an old water pipe in your house that is leaking water. Now, since this pipe runs through the wall, it is difficult to completely remove it. Instead, we use a special method to close and seal the leak from the inside of the pipe. That is what happens in this treatment. Instead of cutting and removing the problematic vein, we seal it from the inside. Then, blood circulation in the body occurs normally through healthy, good veins.

Why do we need this treatment?

If you have medium or large varicose veins in your legs, this treatment may be right for you. Let's take a look at why varicose veins develop. The veins in our body, especially in the legs, have small doors that open in only one direction to help move blood upward, that is, towards the heart. We call these valves . When these valves become weak or damaged, blood flows back down instead of going upward and collects inside the veins. When this blood fills up, the veins swell, twist, and become visible on the surface of the skin.

Here are some of the difficulties caused by this situation:

Some people undergo this treatment for cosmetic reasons because the appearance of their legs is unsightly due to these varicose veins. After successful treatment, the veins that had appeared shrink and disappear, giving the legs a beautiful appearance again.

Also, sometimes, if Varicose Veins are left untreated, they can lead to serious complications such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) , non-healing skin wounds, or bleeding from the veins. In such cases, your doctor will definitely recommend this type of treatment.

Is this a major surgery?

Traditional vein stripping surgery involves cutting the leg in several places and completely removing the problematic vein. It takes several weeks to heal and is very painful.

But in this modern method, the vein is not removed from the body, it is only closed from the inside. Therefore, complications are very rare, and the recovery time is very short.

What happens before and during treatment?

Before treatment...

You should talk to your doctor and let him/her know about all the medications you are taking (including vitamins and supplements). You may also need to take blood thinners .Some medications, such as prescription drugs, may require you to stop taking them a few days before treatment. Your doctor will give you clear instructions about this.

During treatment...

This treatment usually takes about an hour. The doctor will do everything he can to make sure you don't feel any pain.

• Local Anesthesia: Only the area where the vein is located is numbed.
• Sedatives: Give you a mild sedative to help you relax and not be afraid.

Then here is the step-by-step procedure for the treatment:

1. Locating the vein: The doctor uses an ultrasound scan to locate the exact location of the problematic vein.

2. A very small incision: A very small incision (a few millimeters) is made in the skin, usually below the knee or around the ankle.

3. Insertion of the catheter: A catheter , a thin, flexible tube, is inserted through the incision and guided along the vein to the problem area.

4. Thermal energy: Another thin device that emits laser beams or radio waves is sent through the catheter, which heats the inner wall of the vein. This heat causes the vein to shrink and close from the inside.

5. Bandage the wound: A bandage is applied to the small cut. In most cases, stitches are not even needed.

This is usually done in an outpatient setting, meaning you can go home the same day after treatment.

What should I do after treatment?

After the treatment, you may feel some pain, numbness, or bruising at the treatment site. This is normal. This can be controlled with painkillers. But ask your doctor and only use the painkillers he or she recommends.

Your doctor will give you some tips to help you recover quickly:

• Wear Compression Socks: To help blood flow and reduce swelling, special tight socks (compression socks) are recommended to be worn for most of the day.
• Walk: Walking slowly throughout the day helps a lot in the healing process.
• Keep your legs elevated: When sitting in a chair, keep your legs elevated as if they were another chair.
• Things to avoid: Avoid swimming pools and hot tubs for a week or two. Avoid strenuous exercise for a while.
• Air travel: The doctor recommends avoiding air travel for at least two weeks.

About a week later, the doctor does another ultrasound scan to see if the treated vein is completely closed.

What are the benefits and risks of this treatment?

As with any medical treatment, there are benefits as well as some very minor risks.

When you need to go to the hospital (ETU) urgently!

Although it is very rare for a blood clot to occur after treatment, it is important to be aware of its symptoms. If you experience any of the following symptoms, go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately .

Don't ignore these symptoms. They could be a sign of a serious condition.