Last summer I noticed prominent blue veins on my right thigh that had been there for years but had seemed to worsen and slightly bulge after a workout/hot bath. An ultrasound uncovered reflux in my right GSV and in my left calf. I had sclerotherapy done 3 months before which significantly improved the bulging and color of the veins. After the reflux was uncovered, the doctor advised that only EVLT can be done. Is this true, even though I saw improvement after sclerotherapy?
March 14, 2018
Answer: Ablation vs sclerotherapy If you are not symptomatic then an ablation (RF or EVLT) is not necessary. I would also ask the extent of the reflux. I would not do an ablation if there is only a short segment of reflux. However, if the GSV is incompetent (showing reflux) along its length then you are unlikely to get lasting results with sclerotherapy alone. A good analogy is that if you have a leaky roof and it is ruining the paint on your walls. Painting the walls will make it look better but it's not going to solve the problem, you have to fix the leak to get lasting results. Similarly with proximal GSV reflux and sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy will work but if the GSV is refluxing into those varicosities then they are likely to recur. An ablation is treating the source of the problem.
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March 14, 2018
Answer: Ablation vs sclerotherapy If you are not symptomatic then an ablation (RF or EVLT) is not necessary. I would also ask the extent of the reflux. I would not do an ablation if there is only a short segment of reflux. However, if the GSV is incompetent (showing reflux) along its length then you are unlikely to get lasting results with sclerotherapy alone. A good analogy is that if you have a leaky roof and it is ruining the paint on your walls. Painting the walls will make it look better but it's not going to solve the problem, you have to fix the leak to get lasting results. Similarly with proximal GSV reflux and sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy will work but if the GSV is refluxing into those varicosities then they are likely to recur. An ablation is treating the source of the problem.
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March 13, 2018
Answer: Blue veins and EVLT If you have had a response to sclerotherapy then there is no need to rush into doing an EVLT. The presence of reflux suggests that most likely veins will worsen with time but, if sclerotherapy has worked for you, then I would recommend continued sclerotherapy until such time that you develop varicose veins or the veins in your leg worsen.
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March 13, 2018
Answer: Blue veins and EVLT If you have had a response to sclerotherapy then there is no need to rush into doing an EVLT. The presence of reflux suggests that most likely veins will worsen with time but, if sclerotherapy has worked for you, then I would recommend continued sclerotherapy until such time that you develop varicose veins or the veins in your leg worsen.
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