Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Compression After Laser Treatment

In our last post we discussed the value of graduated compression stockings before an EVLA procedure. Now we turn to the use of compression after vein treatment. 

Graduated compression after EVLA has been proven to decrease swelling, a common outcome associated with the procedure. Additional benefits for the patient are decreased discomfort, potentially decreased risk of blood clots, and potentially decreased risk of pigmentation, or staining of the skin.

Immediately following an EVLA procedure, patients are asked to put on their compression stockings. Vein specialists will ask patients to wear compression stockings for the first two weeks following EVLA treatment, any time the patient is on her or his feet. (Compression stockings are also prescribed following sclerotherapy treatment, usually for between five days and two weeks.) Graduated compression stockings should never be worn to bed.

Compression is critical for the most efficient and effective healing process.

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Compression Before Laser Treatment


For years, patients suffering from varicose veins and other vein conditions had few options for treatment. Now, endovenous ablation, or EVLA for short, is considered the gold standard in vein treatment. EVLA is minimally invasive procedure that is done on an outpatient basis, and recovery time for most people is very quick.

Graduated compression stockings play an essential role before and after vein treatments, including EVLA. Anyone that undergoes EVLA, sclerotherapy or other treatments for venous insufficiency must wear graduated compression stockings immediately following the procedure and during the recovery period. What some may not realize is that there are reasons to wear compression before treatment too.

Before a vein procedure, wearing compression stockings gives a person a snapshot of what vein health feels like. Since compression alleviates symptoms, it becomes easier for a phlebologist (vein specialist) to tease out, or confirm whether the leg pain is due to muscular-skeletal issues, the nervous system, or venous disease. Another benefit to wearing compression prior to treatment is that it’s good to confirm that the patient can tolerate stockings, and/or that the stockings fit properly. (After the procedure is the worst time to discover that the stockings don’t fit!)

Alternatively, many who think that they could never tolerate compression stockings try on a modern stocking and find them quite bearable. Since compression prevents the progression of vein disease and controls symptoms, some people may even decide to take a more conservative approach, rather than proceed with definitive treatment.