How Long To Wear Compression Hose After Varicose Vein Treatment?

If you are suffering from painful, or just unsightly, varicose veins, you may be considering having them repaired or removed. There are many treatments available…

Female Puts Some Anti-thrombotic Stockings On

If you are suffering from painful, or just unsightly, varicose veins, you may be considering having them repaired or removed. There are many treatments available to fix varicose veins, all with their unique set of advantages and side effects. Most require you to wear gradient compression stockings both before and after treatment. In this article, we will introduce you to the most common treatment options and let you know how long to wear compression hose after sclerotherapy and the other types of treatment. 

Varicose veins are a fairly common ailment, affecting roughly 23% of American adults. Usually seen in women as they age, they can affect both genders at any age. Most often they occur in the veins of the legs but they can occur anywhere large veins run close to the skin. Unlike spider veins, which are unattractive but do not cause pain, varicose veins can be quite painful and may cause rashes, bruising and, in rare cases, blood clots. 

Treatments may be surgical or noninvasive. Which treatment works best for you is a decision to be made by you and your doctor, and will be based on the severity of your symptoms, your current health status and health goals, which treatment options are covered by your insurance and other factors. Here are six of the most common treatments for varicose veins. Most require aftercare compression sclerotherapy treatment of varicose veins through the use of gradient compression hose. 

Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) 

EVLA involves the heating of the affected veins with a laser. The heat both seals off the vein and destroys the walls. The resulting dead tissue is absorbed by the body with no need for incisions or removal. 

This procedure is done in the doctor’s office with a local anesthetic applied to the area around the vein. Most patients report only mild pain if any during the procedure. It is not uncommon for bruising to occur around the treated area and it may take up to 3 months to fade.  

Wearing gradient compression stockings is recommended by most physicians after EVLA treatment. While there are no hard-set guidelines, many recommend wearing them continuously, both while active and sleeping, for 48 hours and then just during the day for an additional three to five days. 

Endovenous Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) 

Similar to EVLA, RFA uses radio waves instead of lasers to destroy and seal off the offending vein. The steps of the procedure and recovery are the same as EVLA, including the need to wear gradient compression hose for five to seven days. 

Microfoam Injection 

Also known as sclerotherapy, or Varithena microfoam injection, this procedure involves the injection of foam into the varicose vein. The foam both pushes the blood out of the vein and destroys the tissue. Over time the dead tissue is absorbed by the body.  

The area to be treated is numbed with a local anesthetic and most patients report little or no pain during the treatment itself. Significant bruising and pain may occur in the days following the procedure. 

To help reduce the pain and bruising and to prevent the rare occurrence of blood clots, wearing gradient compression stockings is strongly recommended. Each case is different but many physicians recommend 48 hours of continuous wear followed by up to two weeks of wearing compression stockings for varicose veins during the active part of your day.  

Cyanoacrylate 

Cyanoacrylate, or VenaSeal, is a medical-grade glue that is used to seal off varicose veins. The cyanoacrylate glue is injected into the offending vein. It not only seals off the vein but also damages and ultimately destroys the vein itself. 

Unlike the previously mentioned treatments, patients rarely report pain or bruising after this procedure. Most are allowed to return to their normal activities that same day and exercise, even strenuous types are recommended. 

Most doctors do not see the need for their patients to wear gradient compression stockings after this procedure unless there is significant swelling around the treated area. Most swelling is minor and can be alleviated by elevating the legs. 

Endovenous Mechanochemical Ablation (MOCA) 

MOCA combines elements of sclerotherapy and heat-based ablation. In this procedure, a catheter is inserted into the varicose vein carrying a chemical designed to seal and damage the vein. The catheter scrapes the walls of the vein, making the chemical more effective. This procedure is most often used when the varicose vein is located close to a nerve that heat-based ablation might damage. 

The procedure is usually done in the doctor’s office with a local anesthetic applied to the treatment area. Patients report little or no pain during the procedure. Bruising and pain after the procedure are also less common and extensive than is seen with some other varicose vein treatments.

The use of gradient compression hose is recommended by most doctors for two weeks after MOCA to prevent bruising and alleviate pain and swelling. 

Phlebectomy 

Phlebectomy is the only one of the listed treatments for varicose veins that involves the actual removal of the vein. Usually, it can be done in the doctor’s office and involves making a small incision and removing the varicose veins through it. This procedure can only be done on veins very close to the surface.   

Because the incisions are very small, recovery is rapid. Most patients can return to their daily routines the same day, although strenuous exercise is not recommended. Bruising, swelling, and pain around the incisions are normal but should not be extreme.

The use of gradient compression hose is recommended after this procedure, usually for one to three weeks after the removal of the bandages. 

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How To Find Help 

If you are suffering from varicose veins, it is best to talk to the experts. A vein specialist can talk to you about treatment options and help you decide which will work best for you. To find a vein specialist near you, use My Vein Treatment’s vein specialist locator tool.