PRP for varicose veins?

PRP is not a viable option for varicose veins as the procedure is incapable of collapsing or closing the vein.

It’s important to distinguish between varicose veins and spider veins when choosing between laser therapy, sclerotherapy, and vein surgery. With two board certified vein specialists, our center uses a combination of visual examination, functional flow measurements, ultrasound, transillumination, and infrared light to map out vein networks prior to therapy. Lasers can be used to treat deep varicose vein insufficiency, vein perforators, and varicose veins. Sclerotherapy is ideal for spider veins and reticular veins. Whereas surgery is reserved for severely incompetent varicose vein segments.


Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

No, your best treatment option for treating your varicose veins would be going to a vein specialist first for an evaluation. Then, based on your specific situation they can recommend a treatment plan that could consist of either RF ablation, Venaseal, Sclerotherapy, and/or a phlebectomy. 

PRP is not recommended for the treatment of varicose veins. Platelet rich plasma, essentially 'plasma' is derived from your own blood and does not cause closure or clotting of the varicose veins. As you can imagine, plasma normally runs in the veins and the arteries of your body. 
A good starting point is to visit your local vascular surgeon, get evaluated for possible symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency (valve leak), an ultrasound of the leg veins including the deep and superficial system, a possible conservative management with compression stockings and a plan of treatment. For varicose veins not accompanying any symptoms, it becomes a cosmetic approach of treatment. 

There are no studies that show that varicose veins are helped or venous insufficiency symptoms are relieved with PRP.I recommend a trial of compression stockings followed by treatment. I recommend VenaSmart compression stockings, The Vein Doctor's Choice. Hratch L Karamanoukian MD FACS

While PRP has been shown to help with inflammation in the body, it is not used for treatment of varicose veins.  
When patients come to our office with bulging veins, we first try to determine whether they are merely a cosmetic nuisance or if there is a deeper underlying medical concern. If you are suffering from symptoms of vein disease such as swelling, skin discoloration, skin ulcers, cramping, aching and heaviness in the legs, then we typically would do an ultrasound to determine if there is any vein disease. 
After the diagnostic ultrasound is completed, you could then accurately discuss treatment options (lasers, sclerotherapy, radiofrequency, etc). These options could vary depending on the presence/severity of vein disease. 

Varicose veins cannot be treated with PRP.  The proper care requires initial ultrasound evaluation to determine the cause of the varicose veins, and then a treatment regimen based on the findings.  There are many modern treatments of varicose veins which are all minimally invasive office procedures.  You should have a consultation with a vein expert to get advice on the best treatment for your problem.

PRP is not useful for the treatment of varicose veins and is not considered first line treatment or standard of care. If there are varicose veins then the source of the veins needs to be established by a venous ultrasound and then this is treated first.