You may experience slight discomfort or pressure during leg vein ablation, but you should not feel pain. You’ll receive a local anesthetic before the procedure to numb the area. After the procedure, you may have minor leg pain, tenderness, or stiffness for one to two weeks.
Featured Links
Featured Links
Featured Links
Featured Links
What is endovenous laser therapy?
Endovenous laser therapy (EVLT), also called laser ablation, is a minimally invasive procedure that treats varicose veins. Varicose veins are enlarged, weakened blood vessels visible just under your skin’s surface. They usually develop in your legs but can also affect your ankles or feet.
Varicose veins cause blood to pool instead of flowing properly. As a result, people experience pain, poor circulation, and bulging, bluish veins.
How does laser vein ablation work?
Endovenous laser therapy uses extreme heat to destroy varicose veins. “Endovenous” means we deliver treatment directly inside the vein.
Guided by real-time ultrasound imaging, we make a small cut in your leg and insert a thin, flexible tube (catheter) into the vein. We carefully guide the catheter through your blood vessels all the way to the affected part of the vein. Then, we put a thin strand called a laser fiber through the catheter.
The laser — a powerful beam of light — heats the varicose vein. It causes scarring in the vein wall. The vein seals shut, shrinks, and disappears over time.
Your body adapts by redirecting blood flow to other nearby veins. It may even create new, healthy veins to support circulation.
Jump to:
Who needs laser vein ablation?
You may need EVLT if you have varicose veins. Our specialists — including vascular surgeons, interventional radiologists, and pain management experts — work with you to determine the best treatment for your condition.
We may recommend laser ablation if varicose veins cause:
- A pressure or heaviness in your legs
- Changes in appearance that you don’t like
- Blood clots
- Blood flow problems
- Pain, itchiness, or soreness
- Skin problems
- Swelling
EVLT does not treat small varicose veins (spider veins). We may not recommend the procedure if you have a blood clotting disorder, have poor overall health, or are pregnant.
Our vascular specialists take a comprehensive approach to treating the underlying cause of varicose veins. Varicose veins can result from certain lifestyle factors, such as sitting or standing for long periods. They can also develop from existing health conditions, such as obesity or venous insufficiency (when veins in your legs don’t move blood back to your heart properly).
Benefits of varicose vein ablation
EVLT provides excellent long-term results with a success rate higher than 95%. This procedure can improve your symptoms and quality of life by:
- Decreasing swelling in your leg, ankle, or foot
- Improving the appearance of veins
- Reducing pain and discomfort
Unlike traditional treatment, laser vein ablation gets rid of the vein without the need for surgery. Compared to surgery, EVLT poses less risk and causes less scarring, bruising, and pain. It also provides results that you can see and feel immediately after the procedure.
Preparing for endovenous laser therapy
Before EVLT, you will have an ultrasound test called venous duplex imaging. This test allows us to see your veins and blood flow in detail.
Our vascular imaging specialists use state-of-the-art ultrasound systems to plan a safe and effective procedure. If the test shows extremely swollen or twisted veins, we may recommend a different varicose vein treatment.
You and your provider will discuss how you should prepare for EVLT, which may include adjusting or stopping certain medications before treatment.
What to expect during varicose vein ablation
You receive laser therapy for varicose veins in an outpatient clinic. This means you go home on the same day as your procedure. EVLT usually takes about one hour and includes:
- Numbing the affected area using local anesthesia
- Protecting your eyes from the laser by giving you special eyewear
- Using ultrasound imaging to guide treatment
- Performing EVLT to provide targeted and safe therapy
Anesthesia helps keep you as comfortable as possible, and it also protects healthy tissues around the varicose vein from the laser. You will feel a slight pinch when we administer the anesthesia, but you will not feel any pain after that. Some people experience a pressure-like sensation during the procedure.
Recovery after varicose vein ablation
Immediately after EVLT, we will wrap your legs in compression bandages or stockings, which you’ll need to wear for a few days. We will also ask you to walk for at least 30 minutes to improve blood flow.
Within one to two days after laser vein ablation, most people return to work and their normal activities. You may need to wait longer before resuming intense physical activity.
For one to two weeks after EVLT, you may experience minor leg pain, bruising, soreness, or stiffness. We may recommend that you continue to wear compression stockings during this time. The tightness helps reduce bleeding, bruising, and swelling. It also helps improve blood flow and prevent blood clots.
You will have several follow-up appointments after EVLT. During these visits, we do a physical exam and ultrasound imaging to check your healing and how your veins responded to treatment.
FAQs about laser therapy for varicose veins
Most people return to work within one to two days after endovenous laser treatment. You can resume most normal activities within a few days. You may experience minor leg pain, soreness, or stiffness for one to two weeks.
Yes. Walking is encouraged after vein ablation, as it promotes healthy blood flow. Your provider will ask you to walk for at least 30 minutes immediately after the procedure
Your provider will likely recommend wearing compression stockings for one to two weeks after vein ablation. Compression stockings help improve blood flow, prevent blood clots, and reduce swelling in your legs.
In most cases, the treated vein does not regrow after laser ablation. Your body naturally redirects blood flow to other healthy veins. It may also create new veins to help with circulation.
Health insurance usually covers vein ablation if the procedure is medically necessary. It does not typically cover EVLT for cosmetic reasons. Talk with your insurance provider and care team to understand whether EVLT is covered for you.
