Endovenous Laser Therapy services offered in Fayetteville, Lumberton, Erwin and Saint Pauls, NC
Like many people, you may consider your varicose veins a cosmetic issue, not a health concern. But those enlarged, visible veins may indicate problems with circulation. At Carolina Heart and Leg Center in Fayetteville, Lumberton, Erwin, and Saint Pauls, North Carolina, Hari Saini, MD, and the team provide endovenous laser therapy (EVLT) to correct varicose veins, improving circulation. To find out more about endovenous laser therapy and how it can help your varicose veins, call the office most convenient to you or schedule an appointment online today.
What is endovenous laser therapy?
Endovenous laser therapy (EVLT) is a minimally invasive treatment for varicose veins. During treatment, your provider uses laser energy to heat the diseased vein, causing it to collapse and close.
Varicose veins are enlarged superficial veins that most often affect the legs. These veins occur when you have damage to the valves or walls of the veins, allowing blood to pool and causing an enlargement of the vein.
Am I a candidate for endovenous laser therapy?
The Carolina Heart and Leg Center team determines if you’re a candidate for EVLT after a consultation. Though varicose veins aren’t always harmful to your health, they may cause leg pain or burning or be a sign of an underlying circulation problem called chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).
If your varicose veins cause discomfort or affect circulation, then the team may consider you a candidate for EVLT. They perform a vascular ultrasound to evaluate the flow of blood through the veins in your legs to confirm a diagnosis.
How do I prepare for endovenous laser therapy?
The team at Carolina Heart and Leg Center provides specific instructions on the steps you need to take to prepare for endovenous laser therapy. They may ask you to stop taking blood-thinning supplements or medications to prevent excessive bleeding.
The team also requests you come to your appointment dressed in comfortable clothing and leave valuables at home. They also ask that you arrange to have someone drive you home after your procedure.
What can I expect during endovenous laser therapy?
Carolina Heart and Leg Center performs endovenous laser therapy at the office. After you change into an exam gown, your provider has you lie on the treatment table and then numbs the area undergoing the laser treatment.
The team uses a Doppler ultrasound to find the diseased vein, and then they insert a catheter into the vein and advance the laser fiber tool through the catheter into the vein. While your provider slowly removes the catheter from your vein, the laser fiber heats it, causing it to collapse.
When can I expect results following endovenous laser therapy?
Results vary, but you should notice improvements in your symptoms soon after your treatment. It may take several weeks for the treated varicose vein to fade away.
The Carolina Heart and Leg Center team recommends wearing compression stockings to support circulation and healing.
To find out more about endovenous laser therapy at Carolina Heart and Leg Center, call the office most convenient to you or book an appointment online today.