How Endovenous Ablation Can Repair Your Damaged Veins

Tired of dealing with bulging veins, leg pain, or swelling? You’re not stuck with uncomfortable symptoms. Endovenous ablation is a simple, minimally invasive treatment that helps your blood flow how it should — and you feel better too.

Take a moment as our team here at Heart and Vascular Associates LLC in Sierra Vista, Arizona, explains endovenous ablation and how it can treat damaged veins. 

Understanding vein damage

Your veins carry deoxygenated blood back to your lungs, where it gets reoxygenated. Veins have special one-way valves that keep blood flowing in the right direction. 

Sometimes, however, these valves malfunction, known as venous insufficiency, allowing blood to flow backward and pool. That contributes to the telltale appearance of varicose veins and can also lead to swelling, aching, and a feeling of heaviness in your legs. 

An estimated 40% of adults have venous insufficiency.

Left untreated, damaged veins may increase your risk of skin changes, infections, or ulcers. About 85% of the ulcers in one study were related to venous issues.

How endovenous ablation repairs damaged veins

Endovenous ablation employs heat energy to close off problematic veins, usually those that have stopped working and are causing blood to pool. 

Cardiologist Dr. Vinay Sanghi may use radiofrequency or laser energy to gently heat the inside of the problematic vein and seal it shut. Blood is forced to flow through other, healthier veins. 

When he seals the problematic vein and your blood starts to flow through other veins, your body absorbs the damaged vein and removes it from your body via your lymphatic system. 

So, endovenous ablation doesn’t exactly repair a damaged vein as much as it repairs the situation by closing off problem veins. This technique can also help prevent complications of untreated varicose veins like venous ulcers.

How the procedure works

Endovenous ablation is simple and performed right in the office. The entire process usually takes less than an hour, and there’s no need for general anesthesia or a hospital stay.

Numb the area

After identifying the damaged vein through ultrasound imaging, Dr. Sanghi numbs the skin with a local anesthetic.

Insert the catheter

Dr. Sanghi uses ultrasound guidance to insert a catheter (a thin, flexible tube) into a blood vessel in your leg. From there, he can guide the catheter directly to the treatment area.

Apply the energy

Once the catheter is in place, Dr. Sanghi delivers the radiofrequency or laser energy to gently heat and close the vein.

What to expect after endovenous ablation

After catheter removal, we place a bandage over the puncture site (no sutures needed!), and you likely can walk out of the office on your own. 

We might recommend that you wear compression stockings for a short period to promote healing and blood flow. Mild bruising or soreness can happen but usually goes away quickly. 

Most importantly, you should start to feel relief from symptoms fairly soon after the procedure.

Ready to repair your veins?

If you’re struggling with the discomfort or embarrassment of damaged veins, endovenous ablation could be the answer. Our team is here to guide you with expert care. To schedule an appointment, call us at 520-335-2400 or book online today.