According to current scientific knowledge, the valve defect underlying varicose veins (click here to read about the causes and consequences of varicose veins) cannot be cured, i.e. there is no pill, physical therapy, or any other method that can restore the function of the defective valves. There are two approaches to treatment: conservative and surgical.
The cure, i.e., elimination of varicose veins, is only possible through surgical intervention. There are traditional (incisional) and catheter-based surgical methods, all of which aim to remove the abnormally functioning sections of the vein responsible for the congestion from the circulation.
A common feature of all catheter methods is that the dilated sections of the vein are closed using a catheter. The closure can be achieved chemically (adhesive surgery, cryo-sclero therapy) or by heat. Chemical closure methods include cryo-sclero therapy, which can be a quick and convenient solution for certain types of varicose veins.
A minimally invasive, heat-free treatment option for eliminating varicose veins.
During cryosclerotherapy, a special foamed substance is injected into the varicose vein sections designated by the treating physician, while external cooling is provided. This foamed substance damages the vein wall from the inside, which results in the closure of the varicose vein section, thereby eliminating the congestion in the venous network of the leg and reducing symptoms. The procedure can be comprehensive, i.e., cryosclerotherapy alone can solve the varicose vein problem, or it can be a complementary treatment to other catheter interventions, which your attending physician will recommend to you when preparing your treatment plan. In some cases, cryosclerotherapy may also be a good solution for treating spider veins and varicose veins. Your doctor will also provide you with detailed information about this.
Step 1: We use ultrasound to locate the dilated sections and inject a foamed substance into the vessel using a short catheter, cannula, or direct needle puncture. During the procedure, we apply special cooling to the treated area.
Step 2: A compression bandage is applied to the treated areas, which must be kept in place for the period specified by the attending physician, usually 1-2 days.
Advantages of cryosclerotherapy
Preparations prior to cryosclerotherapy
What to do after cryosclerotherapy
In most cases, you will feel little or no pain. You may feel dizzy during the procedure. After the procedure, you may experience mild to moderate pain, which can be treated with local cooling and painkillers.
After cryosclerotherapy, you can return to work immediately, depending on your job. In the case of heavy physical work, we recommend 4-6 days of rest, during which you can still perform your daily routine tasks, but you should avoid strenuous physical work and sports if possible.
The symptoms are caused by the diseased superficial vein. Thus, the symptoms may improve once the diseased vein is closed off.
Following cryosclerotherapy, bruising regularly occurs, which disappears within a few days or weeks. Pigmentation rarely occurs in the area above the treated veins, the extent of which varies from person to person. This usually disappears on its own, but in less than 10% of cases it persists for a longer period of time or remains permanently.
We only inject a very small amount of a special substance, which is absorbed and excreted in the days following the treatment.
Cryo-sclerotherapy can be used to treat extremely tortuous, networked vein segments that cannot be treated with catheter solutions.
“The most important moment in our lives: The one we are currently experiencing. The most important person in our lives: The one standing right in front of us. And the most important feeling is love.”
The goal of all healthcare is to solve the patient’s problem as effectively as possible, i.e., to ensure that the intervention results in the fastest possible recovery time, the least possible pain, the best possible outcome, and the lowest possible chance of recurrence. The two most important factors in this are the doctor and the patient.
It is easy to see that the intervention will be most successful if both sides are as well prepared as possible for the date of the intervention. In developing our clinic, selecting our staff, providing training, and purchasing equipment, we always keep in mind that we want to treat our patients with the latest equipment and the best-trained staff available.
The other most important factor is the patient, i.e. your cooperation. Every person comes to us in a different physical and mental state, with different comorbidities and different types of problems, so it is important to discuss on an individual basis exactly how to prepare for a procedure and what you can and cannot do after surgery or laser treatment, for example. Therefore, an important part of success is that you follow our recommendations and advice after the examination or procedure.
What has been described so far may be true for any service. Today’s times suggest that even healthcare or health is just a “service” that can be purchased, where demand, supply, results, and money determine how things work.
However, there is something extra in the doctor-patient relationship, because when someone decides to be examined or operated on by a doctor, a contract is formed between them. This contract is not only about results, risks, and price, but above all about something unspoken: trust, because the patient entrusts us with their greatest treasure, their health.
The patient allows the doctor to touch, for example, their leg—something we would not allow just anyone to do—or to share confidential information about themselves.
The doctor respects the patient’s requests, keeps their secrets, tries to resolve their complaints, and helps them heal. This cannot be a one-sided “service”; it takes two people. It is this human connection that helps the patient overcome obstacles, fear, anxiety, and unpleasant moments in such an unusual situation. It is this trust that gives medicine the quality we truly love, because it makes our success a shared one. Trust cannot be bought, and it is difficult to earn, but we sincerely strive to deserve it. That is why no one leaves us feeling let down or with unanswered questions.
Best regards,
The VeinStream Clinic Team