What is The Best Vein Treatment in Maryland?

The Vein Doctors at The Maryland Vein Center List the Best Spider Vein and Varicose Vein Treatments

If you’re looking for spider vein and varicose vein treatments, you might be confused by the options.

Maryland Vein Center Treatment Options

Endovenous
Ablation

Also known As: Ablation, Radiofrequency Ablation, Laser Ablation
Best For: Chronic venous insufficiency and its symptoms, including leg heaviness, restless leg syndrome, frequent leg cramps, leg pain, and large varicose veins

What is Endovenous Ablation?

Endovenous ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that ablates (destroys) the diseased saphenous vein responsible for your vein problems. The procedure can be done using thermal energy (radiofrequency ablation) or laser energy (laser ablation). Regardless of the technique used, the results are the same — the diseased vein is destroyed, and the accumulated blood automatically reroutes into healthier leg veins to restore optimal blood circulation to the heart.

The Endovenous Ablation Procedure

Endovenous ablation is performed as a simple, in-office procedure. The vein doctor administers local anesthesia to numb the skin’s surface and make a small incision, through which a catheter is driven under ultrasound guidance. The catheter may or may not have a laser fiber, depending on the specific type of ablative procedure. The vein doctor drives the catheter into the diseased vein under ultrasound guidance, following which tumescent anesthesia is delivered to ensure comfort.

Once the catheter is in place, the vein doctor activates it to generate radiofrequency waves or laser energy, thereby ablating the diseased vein. The accumulated blood automatically reroutes into healthier leg veins, restoring optimal blood circulation to the heart. The diseased vein turns into scar tissues, eventually absorbed by the body. The entire procedure concludes within 30 minutes, following which you can resume your daily activities and work.

Radiofrequency ablation is usually more comfortable than laser ablation, which is why our vein doctors generally recommend radiofrequency. However, in some cases, our vein doctors may have their reasons to recommend endovenous laser ablation as well.

Pros

Endovenous ablation is one of the safest and most effective vein treatments available. It’s the ideal alternative to vascular surgeries because it addresses the root cause of your vein problems, not just the symptoms, without hospitalization, downtime, or a high risk of complications. Furthermore, endovenous ablation is covered by most major medical insurances, making it financially accessible to patients.
Pros Summary:
  • Safer and more effective than vascular surgery
  • Produces excellent and immediate results
  • Covered by most major insurance plans
  • Patients can resume work immediately

Cons

Endovenous ablation can be performed using multiple devices and techniques — some are more effective than others. We use the safest and most advanced technologies to perform endovenous ablation, but inexperienced vein doctors may also use inferior techniques, leading to harsh side effects or complications. The Maryland Vein Center ensures optimal comfort and safety during your vein treatment.
Cons Summary:
  • Some devices are more effective than others
  • Must be performed by highly skilled vein experts

VenaSeal

Also known As: Vein adhesive
Best For: Chronic venous insufficiency and its symptoms, including leg heaviness, restless leg syndrome, frequent leg cramps, leg pain, and large varicose veins

What is the VenaSeal Closure System?

The VenaSeal Closure System is a safe, minimally invasive vein treatment wherein a medical-grade adhesive is used to seal the walls of the diseased vein. The medical glue, known as cyanoacrylate glue, is produced by Medtronic, and it can seal the diseased vein’s walls, turning it into hardened scar tissue eventually absorbed by the body. VenaSeal received FDA approval for the treatment of vein disease in 2015, so it’s not yet covered by all insurance plans.

The VenaSeal Closure System Procedure

The vein doctor identifies the diseased saphenous vein using ultrasound guidance, following which a small incision is made on your skin under the effects of local anesthesia. The vein doctor drives a catheter through the incision and into the diseased vein, following which the medical glue is delivered into the vein’s walls, sealing it shut. The accumulated blood reroutes into healthier leg veins, restoring optimal blood circulation to the heart, and the diseased vein is eventually reabsorbed by the body.

Pros

VenaSeal doesn’t involve tumescent anesthesia, so it causes minimal post-treatment swelling. Furthermore, the medical glue easily travels all along the length of the diseased vein and its branches, something that endovenous ablation can’t achieve. You can treat the completely diseased vein with one session.
Pros Summary:
  • Suitable for large varicose veins with multiple branches
  • No post-treatment swelling
  • Suitable for the treatment of recurrent vein disease

Cons

VenaSeal is a relatively new procedure, having received FDA approval in 2015. As such, its long-term impacts and consequences aren’t yet known. It’s also not yet covered by all major insurance plans because it’s a relatively new procedure. Some patients are allergic to the medical glue used in this treatment, and the vein glue remains within the body as a medical implant. The medical implant doesn’t cause any problems, but some patients don’t like the idea of an implant.
Cons Summary:
  • Possibility of allergic reactions
  • Leaves a medical implant in the body
  • Not covered by all insurance plans
  • Long-term effects not yet known

Sclerotherapy

Also known As: Vein injections, saline injections, STS, salt solution injections, sclerosant injections, cosmetic sclerotherapy
Best For: All sizes of spider veins and smaller varicose veins

What is Sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is widely considered the best spider vein treatment available. The vein doctor injects a sclerosant medicine into spider veins to irritate their vein walls, turning them into hardened scar tissues eventually metabolized by the body.

Sclerotherapy is considered to be a cosmetic procedure because it removes spider veins but doesn’t address the underlying vein disease. That’s why vein doctors often perform sclerotherapy after other vein treatments, such as radiofrequency ablation and endovenous laser ablation.

Pros

Sclerotherapy is the best treatment for spider veins because the sclerosant medicine easily moves around the diseased spider veins’ walls, even if the spider vein is extremely twisted and tortuous. As such, the sclerosant medicine covers all the spider veins, turning them into hardened scar tissues. This treatment is also extremely safe, painless, and it concludes within an hour and involves no downtime, making it super convenient for everyone.
Pros Summary:
  • Ideal treatment for spider veins
  • Works really fast
  • More suitable for twisted, tortuous veins
  • No downtime or recovery period

Cons

Sclerotherapy is such an easily available procedure that it’s also offered by inexperienced vein doctors and medical spas. Over the years, numerous companies have started producing their versions of sclerosant medications, each using different formulations. Some sclerosant formulations, like hypertonic saline, can be extremely painful, and others are virtually painless. Furthermore, the vein doctor’s skills also determine the treatment’s safety, comfort, and results.

The Maryland Vein Center only selects the highest quality of sclerosant medications to ensure optimal results. But the same can’t be said for all doctors. Furthermore, some doctors may use improper dilution techniques during the treatment, leading to overdosing and harsh side effects. As such, when performed carefully by experts, sclerotherapy is painless and safe, but it can also be risky and painful in the hands of inexperienced doctors.

Cons Summary:
  • Must be performed by highly-skilled vein doctors
  • Inexperienced vein doctors increase the risk of harsh side effects
  • Some sclerosant solutions cause considerable pain
  • Proper dosing and administration techniques and important

Foam Sclerotherapy

Also known As: Foamed sclerotherapy, chemical ablation, vein injections
Best For: Reticular veins and varicose veins

What is Foam Sclerotherapy?

Foam sclerotherapy is essentially the same procedure as traditional sclerotherapy, but it has some crucial differences. The traditional (liquid sclerotherapy) is used for spider veins and small varicose veins because the vein doctor can only use a limited dose suitable for small vein problems. Foam sclerotherapy solves that problem.

Foam sclerotherapy is a procedure wherein the liquid sclerosant medicine is agitated with air to produce a foamy solution, sort of like a detergent. The vein doctor injects the foam sclerosant solution into varicose veins and reticular veins — foam can cover larger veins using the same dose of medication. As such, foam sclerotherapy simplifies the treatment of larger veins.

Pros

Foam sclerotherapy allows vein doctors to treat larger varicose veins using the same dose of sclerosant medicine, so the treatment is completely safe and effective. This treatment is particularly effective for twisted, tortuous varicose veins because the foamy solution easily travels down the length of the diseased vein, sealing it shut. This treatment is also ideal for patients with recurrence vein disease.
Pros Summary:
  • Suitable for large, tortuous varicose veins
  • Covers more distance with less medicine
  • Completely safe treatment
  • No downtime
  • Suitable for recurrent vein disease

Cons

While injecting foam sclerosant into the unhealthy varicose veins, the vein doctor must exercise the utmost caution and precision. Damaged varicose veins can be connected to deeper, healthier veins, so the vein doctor must prevent the foamy solution from reaching healthy veins. That’s an immensely delicate balance to strike — cover all of the diseased veins without letting the foam reach healthy veins. As such, inexperienced vein doctors can increase the risk.
Cons Summary:
  • Must be performed by the most skilled vein doctors
  • Must be performed under ultrasound guidance
  • Increased risk of side effects

Pre-Mixed Foam Sclerotherapy

Also known As: Chemical ablation, vein injections, foamed sclerosant solution.
Best For: Reticular veins and varicose veins

What is Pre-Mixed Foam Sclerotherapy?

Pre-mixed foam sclerotherapy is another unique formulation of sclerotherapy designed to negate the possibility of human error. Traditionally, the foam sclerosant solution is prepared by the administering vein doctor using two syringes to pass the liquid sclerosant back and forth. If the foam solution contains air bubbles, the patient may experience an air embolism, which can be dangerous.

Pre-mixed foam sclerotherapy is performed using a pre-mixed canister of foam sclerosant solution. The solution is packed with nitrogen and carbon dioxide, so it allows the sclerosant medicine to travel and disperse faster, thus preventing air embolism. Studies show that foam sclerotherapy is safer and more effective than traditional foam sclerotherapy, but it carries the same advantages, i.e., treating larger varicose veins and reticular veins.

Pros

Pre-mixed foam sclerotherapy is the ideal treatment for large varicose veins that are twisted and tortuous. Since this solution comes in a pre-mixed canister with nitrogen and carbon dioxide, it dramatically minimizes the risk of human error and air embolism, making it one of the safest sclerotherapy techniques available.
Pros Summary:
  • Extremely effective for large, tortuous varicose veins
  • Suitable for the treatment of vein disease recurrence
  • Considerably safer than foam sclerotherapy
  • Minimizes the risk of human error

Cons

Pre-mixed foam sclerotherapy must be performed by the most talented vein doctors using ultrasound guidance. If the foam solution goes too far, it may destroy healthy veins. Furthermore, pre-mixed foam sclerotherapy isn’t covered by most insurance plans, and it’s fairly expensive without insurance, so it might be inaccessible for some patients.
Cons Summary:
  • Must be performed by vein experts
  • Not covered by most insurance plans

ClariVein

Also known As: Mechanochemical ablation
Best For: Venous insufficiency and recurrent symptoms of leg fatigue, discomfort, restless legs, leg cramps, or heaviness

What is ClariVein?

ClariVein, also known as mechanochemical ablation, approaches the subject of vein treatment from two angles — mechanical ablation and chemical ablation. The ClariVein device is a specialized catheter with a rotating wire tip and an internal sclerosant delivery system. During the procedure, the catheter’s rotating wire tip damages and destroys the diseased vein while simultaneously delivering a sclerosant medicine to irritate its walls, turning it into a hardened scar tissue eventually absorbed by the body.

Pros

ClariVein has several interesting advantages over other minimally invasive vein treatments. Unlike radiofrequency or laser ablation, there’s no risk of nerve injury, and the lack of tumescent anesthesia minimizes post-treatment swelling. Furthermore, unlike the VenaSeal procedure, ClariVein doesn’t leave a medical implant in the body, so there are no traces left after the treatment. The tiny ClariVein device can also move all along the damaged veins, making it extremely suitable for large, tortuous varicose veins.
Pros Summary:
  • Minimal post-treatment swelling
  • No risk of nerve injuries
  • Doesn’t leave a medical implant in the body
  • Suitable for large varicose veins

Cons

The ClariVein device has to be moved all along the diseased vein, and it can sometimes be painful, especially while pushing past the vein valves. This procedure isn’t covered by most insurance companies, so it might be financially inaccessible to some patients.
Cons Summary:
  • Might cause discomfort
  • Not covered by all insurance plans

Vein Center Surgery

Also known As: ein ligation, vein stripping, vein removal, phlebectomy
Best For: The largest, most tortuous varicose veins

What Is Vein Surgery?

Vein ligation is one of the traditional surgical procedures used for the removal of large varicose veins and diseased veins. Most varicose vein surgeries involve the physical extraction of large, diseased veins through incisions on the body. Vein surgery usually involves hospitalization, multiple excisions, general anesthesia, and weeks of recovery.

Pros

Vein surgery might be necessary in rare cases of extremely large, tortuous varicose veins, especially if the patient also has deep vein thrombosis. The Maryland Vein Center only recommends vein surgery if it’s absolutely necessary and usually if all other options have been exhausted.
Pros Summary:
  • Necessary in rare cases

Cons

Vein surgery is an extremely invasive procedure that involves hospitalization, general anesthesia, multiple excisions and scarring, and considerable downtime. In the age of minimally invasive vein treatments that conclude within an hour and involve no downtime, surgery shouldn’t even be considered in anything but the most extreme cases of vein disease.
Cons Summary:
  • Higher risk of complications than minimally invasive techniques
  • Involves hospitalization and extended downtime
  • Performed under general anesthesia

Do you want more information about your spider vein and varicose vein treatment options in Maryland? The Maryland Vein Center is led by a highly skilled team of board-certified vein doctors specializing in the latest, safest, minimally invasive vein treatments. We will examine your leg veins, discuss your goals, and curate the ideal vein treatment plan for you in Maryland.

Selecting the Best Vein Doctor in Maryland for You

The quality of your vein treatment is determined by the quality of your vein doctor. As we mentioned in our discussion of vein treatments, you must find highly-skilled and talented vein doctors. An inexperienced physician can dramatically increase the risk of harsh side effects and complications. You must find a vein center led by the right team of vein doctors.
1

The vein center is dual-accredited for vascular imaging and vein treatments

1

The vein center is dual-accredited for vascular imaging and vein treatments

The Intersocietal Accreditation Commission officially certifies medical centers that meet all of their strict requirements. The Maryland Vein Center is one of the few vein centers in the country with double accreditation for vascular imaging and vein treatments.

2

The vein center curates personalized vein treatment plans just for you

2

The vein center curates personalized vein treatment plans just for you

Maryland Vein Center always curates personalized vein treatment plans. Our vein doctors recommend the ideal vein treatments for you based on your goals, the location and size of your varicose veins, the root cause of your vein problems, and your medical history.

3

The vein center is led by compassionate vein doctors who listen to you

3

The vein center is led by compassionate vein doctors who listen to you

Maryland Vein Center is led by highly-skilled, board-certified vein doctors who practice the art of active listening. They listen to your symptoms and goals with the utmost patience — that’s how they identify the clues that help them determine the safest treatments for you.

4

The vein center focuses on ultrasound diagnostics

4

The vein center focuses on ultrasound diagnostics

The Maryland Vein Center focuses on ultrasound-guided vein treatments and thorough ultrasound scans before vein treatments. The only way to curate the ideal vein treatment plan is to understand the root cause of your vein problems. As such, our vein doctors don’t start any treatment until they’ve investigated the underlying problem using the latest ultrasound techniques.

5

The vein doctors have specialized training in vascular imaging

5

The vein doctors have specialized training in vascular imaging

Most vein centers have ultrasonography experts who handle vascular imaging, but our vein center is led by registered physicians in vascular imaging, i.e., vein doctors with advanced vascular imaging training. Considering the primary role that ultrasound takes in the diagnosis and treatment of vein disease, it’s crucial to have vein doctors specializing in ultrasound.

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