5 common side effects you should know before getting laser therapy done for varicose veins

Dr Sridhar Devu is a Consultant Interventional Radiologist. He has over 11 years of experience in the field of Radio Diagnosis, Image-guided Interventions and is an expert in Minimally invasive Endovascular Interventions and Day care Oncology related procedures.

Interventional Radiology is the latest frontier in Medicine, paving new ways and methods of treatment options all done through a 3mm hole in a vessel.

Medicine is evolving continuously at a tremendous speed adding years to average life span, unraveling new diseases and complex presentations.

Increased access to technology, restricted physical activities, unhealthy lifestyle are contributing to the constant increase in lifestyle related disorders such as obesity, varicose veins, high blood pressure and other associated diseases from an earlier age.

Similar to the way all the gadgets have become more sleek and sophisticated, surgical procedures too have become more advanced to a point of day-care solutions being offered to many diseases. In this regard Interventional Radiology has been a torchbearer, imbibing the innovations and uses image guidance in providing minimally invasive and laser accurate targeted therapies.

The spectrum of Interventional Radiology includes pain management, peripheral vascular disease, men’s & woman’s health, cancer and stoke management. An interventional radiologist provides emergency care like controlling internal bleeder (Embolization) and also electively increasing flow to a non-healing ulcer on foot (Angioplasty).

An Interventional Radiologist works in close association with other care providers to provide an integrated care, and adds significantly to the armamentarium especially when the options are significantly limited.

Almost all the procedures are done under local anesthesia, thereby surgically unfit patients are also taken care of, warding off the risks associated with anesthesia and prolonged stay in the hospital, hence the costs involved are minimized and rapid recovery is ensured.

Interventional Radiology uses the imaging modules such as ultrasound, CT and C-arm (X-Rays), and with aid of wires and catheters reaches the target organs via the blood vessels by entering through a small prick of 3mm. The hazards associated with radiation are kept to the lowest possible by constant application of evolving technology and other protective measures.

A lot of professionals like teachers, salesman, and etc. are affected by the puffy, pesky and painful, Varicose Veins.

Varicose Treatments include simple laser treatment, open surgery, foam sclerotherapy, etc. One most popular way to treat varicose veins is by laser therapy. In case of a laser therapy, the doctor uses a laser heat to damage a vein, which forms scar tissue that eventually closes the vein.

But, laser therapy also has few side effects attached to its treatment especially in untrained and inexperienced hands.

Let’s look at them before you get laser therapy done for varicose veins.

1. Skin Burns - The laser heat can burn your skin which forms scar tissue if proper surgical technique is not used.
2. Skin Colour Changes – As the laser heat scars the skin tissue, it also results in skin colour change, which is most of the times a temporary thing.
3. Burning sensation or Numbness - It is very likely that you’ll have feelings of pain, burning, or prickling after recovery due to the nerve damages which gets relieved over due course of time, and this is more commonly seen in diabetics and elderly.
4. Blood Clot Formation - Very rarely, Laser therapy can result in small or large blood clot in the in a deep vein which can result in various medical problems, especially if the treatment is done without the guidance of ultrasound scan.
5. Mild To Moderate increase In Swelling : May happen especially if the patient stays in bed or stands at one position for a longer time.

To Sum Up, Before you jump the gun and get a laser treatment for your varicose veins, do consult your doctor to be safe and sound.

Dr Sridhar Devu is a Consultant Interventional Radiologist. He has over 11 years of experience in the field of Radio Diagnosis, Image-guided Interventions and is an expert in Minimally invasive Endovascular Interventions and Day care Oncology related procedures.

Dr Sridhar Devu is a Consultant Interventional Radiologist. He has over 11 years of experience in the field of Radio Diagnosis.