Recurrence?

Q. I’m thinking about varicose vein treatment but am concerned the veins will just come back. Is this true?

A. We are fortunate to live in an era where modern varicose vein procedures are highly effective and have excellent long term results. Treated varicose veins should not come back and the vast majority of people are very satisfied after treatment. That being said, it is also important to realize that no medical treatment gives perfect results and some people do have ongoing vein issues. This can happen for various reasons, but the most frequent are genetic or hereditary factors which increase the risk for varicose veins throughout life.

Vein treatments do not cure or remove inherited or underlying risk factors. As such, a comprehensive vein treatment plan should always include consideration of non-procedural means to help support the venous circulation. Most important are regular exercise and use of compression stockings. For those with mild vein problems occasional compression stocking use may suffice but for those with more extensive vein problems regular use is encouraged. For exercise, 30 minutes a day five times a week of aerobic exercise is a good general guide. Compression stockings and exercise are a powerful complement to vein treatment to help control leg discomfort and slow the progression of varicose vein problems.

For those who have ongoing vein problems there are usually options for additional treatment. A critical step is a comprehensive exam and identification of abnormal veins by ultrasound. This information is used to create a focused treatment plan, often including both procedural and conservative treatments, and gives the best chance of a good outcome.

www.MontanaVeinClinic.com Phone: (406) 414-5037