Are You a Candidate for Radiofrequency Ablation?

If you have spider veins or varicose veins, these could be a sign of venous insufficiency. Venous insufficiency affects some 40% of Americans and is typically accompanied by itching, swelling, pain, and restlessness of the legs.

At Progressive Spine & Sports Medicine in Ramsey, New Jersey, our vein specialist can diagnose your condition and provide radiofrequency ablation to resolve vein issues, relieving leg pain and discomfort and safeguarding your health. 

Early signs of venous insufficiency

If you have noticed your legs and ankles swelling and have ruled out edema (water retention), this could be an early sign of venous insufficiency. You could also be suffering from other symptoms, such as scaly, dark patches on your legs and ankles or heavy throbbing pain or constant aching in your legs. Finally, a frequent indicator of venous insufficiency is varicose veins.

The common cause of venous insufficiency

Your blood flow should remain strong and steady through its entire circuit from your heart to your extremities and back again. Venous insufficiency is commonly caused when tiny valves inside your veins are compromised and stop working properly. When the valve is damaged, it slows the flow of blood back to the heart and allows it to pool in the vein. The result is a red or purple, ropy-looking vein that stands out from the leg and which may feel hot or sore.  

Danger of varicose veins

If you have varicose veins, you could have increased risk for a blood clot. If the pooling blood creates a clot in the backed-up vein, then the clot breaks free and travels back to your lungs, you could experience a pulmonary embolism. Treating the varicose vein can reduce your risk for these dangerous health conditions and relieve heat, pain, and swelling in your legs.

Treatment for venous insufficiency 

Our vein specialist may recommend radiofrequency ablation (RFA) to close off the vein and reroute the blood flow. RFA treatment can be done safely and quickly in our office, and it involves a small catheter being inserted into the damaged vein and radio waves used to collapse the vein, forcing the blood to travel through nearby, healthy veins.

Are you a candidate for RFA?

Our vein specialist will sit down with you and complete a full examination. They’ll also look at your as well as your family’s medical history. If you are otherwise healthy and have good veins in your legs through which we can reroute blood flow, you are probably a good candidate for RFA.

Tired of unsightly, painful varicose veins? Contact our office at 201-962-9199, or request a consultation online today. 

 

You Might Also Enjoy...

Why Do My Legs Feel Heavy All the Time?

If your legs feel heavy all the time, it’s quite likely because of bad circulation. Finding the cause of poor or restricted blood flow may be able to resolve the issue and leave you feeling light-footed once more.

What to Expect After a Fluid Flow™ Treatment

Fluid Flow™ Therapy has become a front-line treatment for athletes seeking to recover quickly from common sports injuries. What’s the secret behind this popular therapy? Keep reading to find out.

4 Lifestyle Causes of Frequent Leg Cramps

Are leg cramps becoming more and more frequent or even waking you up at night? Don’t write it off to simply getting older or overworking. Frequent leg cramps can be a sign of a serious condition.

5 Causes of Hip Pain After 40

Aging and hip pain seem to go hand-in-hand for many. Wear-and-tear, repetitive use, trauma, or your job can all contribute to hip pain after you reach 40 years of age. Read on for information you can use to combat that age-related pain.