Introduction
If your legs feel heavy and achy at the end of the day, you can see blue or purple twisted veins beneath the skin, or your ankles swell regularly, you may have varicose veins.
For decades, treatment meant surgical stripping: incisions, general anaesthesia, and weeks of recovery. Today, most patients do not need surgery. A minimally invasive laser procedure called Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) treats varicose veins in under an hour, with no surgical cuts and same-day discharge.
What Are Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins develop when the one-way valves inside leg veins stop working properly. Blood flows backward and pools in the lower leg veins, causing them to stretch and bulge under the skin. They most commonly appear in the legs because standing and walking increase venous pressure. Left untreated, they cause significant discomfort and long-term complications.
What Causes Varicose Veins?
Key risk factors include family history, prolonged standing or sitting, pregnancy, age above 40, obesity, and hormonal changes. Women are more commonly affected than men.
Symptoms: When to Take Varicose Veins Seriously
Many people dismiss varicose veins as a cosmetic issue, but symptoms can be significant: aching or heaviness in the legs especially toward evening, visible bulging or twisted veins on the calf or thigh, ankle swelling, itching or burning over the veins, and leg cramps at night.
In advanced cases, skin discolouration or hardening near the ankle and non-healing wounds may develop. Untreated varicose veins can progress to bleeding, thrombophlebitis (painful clots in superficial veins), and venous leg ulcers.
The Problem with Traditional Surgery
Traditional surgical stripping involved physically removing the faulty vein through incisions in the leg. This required general or spinal anaesthesia, one to two days of hospital admission, and a recovery of two to six weeks. Surgical risks included nerve damage, infection, and significant bruising.
For many patients, especially those with other health conditions, this was a significant barrier. Many endured worsening symptoms for years simply to avoid surgery.
How Laser Treatment for Varicose Veins Works
Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) involves inserting a thin laser fibre directly into the affected vein through a tiny skin puncture. No cuts. No stitches. Controlled laser heat seals the vein shut, blood reroutes through healthy veins, and the treated vein is gradually absorbed by the body.
The procedure takes 45 to 60 minutes under local anaesthesia, guided by real-time ultrasound throughout. Patients walk out the same day.
Benefits of Laser Treatment Over Surgery
| Feature | Laser Treatment (EVLA) | Traditional Surgery |
| Anaesthesia | Local | General or spinal |
| Hospital stay | Same-day discharge | 1 to 2 days admission |
| Recovery time | 1 to 3 days | 2 to 6 weeks |
| Cuts or stitches | None | Multiple incisions |
| Recurrence rate | Low | Low to moderate |
| Pain level | Minimal | Moderate to significant |
| Return to work | Next day for most | 2 to 4 weeks |
Are You a Candidate for Laser Varicose Vein Treatment?
Most patients with symptomatic varicose veins qualify for laser treatment. A Duplex Ultrasound maps the leg veins before the procedure to assess valve incompetence and identify all affected vessels. Laser treatment covers the majority of varicose vein presentations, including great saphenous and small saphenous vein incompetence. Complex cases may require a combined approach.
Book Your Consultation at Jaju IR Clinic, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
You do not have to live with painful leg veins or delay treatment out of fear of surgery.
Dr. Vivek Vijaykumar Jaju (MBBS, MD, FVIR — Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai) specialises in endovenous laser ablation and minimally invasive vascular care.
Jaju Clinic | Opp. HDFC Bank, Sutgirni to Shivaji Nagar Road, Near Petrol Pump, Garkheda, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar 431009
Call +91 8446060237 or email ir.dept_jajuclinic@zohomail.in to book your appointment.
Conclusion
What once required surgery and weeks of recovery can now be resolved in a single outpatient session. If you have been putting off varicose vein treatment in Aurangabad, minimally invasive laser care is now available at Jaju IR Clinic, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Q1: Is laser treatment for varicose veins painful? The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia, so the treatment itself is painless. Most patients experience mild soreness or bruising in the treated area for a few days afterward, which resolves quickly.
Q2: How long does laser varicose vein treatment take?
The procedure typically takes 45 to 60 minutes per leg. Most patients walk out of the clinic on the same day and can return to light activity within 24 hours.
Q3: Is laser treatment permanent? Can varicose veins come back?
Laser ablation permanently closes the treated vein. However, new varicose veins can develop over time if the underlying risk factors (prolonged standing, pregnancy, weight gain) continue. Regular follow-up and lifestyle adjustments reduce recurrence risk.
Q4: Are varicose veins just a cosmetic problem?
No. While they affect appearance, varicose veins can cause significant pain, swelling, and fatigue. Left untreated, they can progress to bleeding, superficial thrombophlebitis, and leg ulcers.
Q5: How do I know if I need treatment for varicose veins?
If you have visible veins accompanied by leg heaviness, swelling, pain, skin changes, or non-healing wounds near the ankle, a medical evaluation is warranted. A Duplex Ultrasound will determine the severity.
Q6: Can varicose veins be treated without any procedure at all?
Compression stockings and lifestyle changes (exercise, weight loss, avoiding prolonged standing) can manage symptoms but do not eliminate varicose veins or repair the faulty valves. Medical treatment is required for definitive results.
Q7: What is the difference between varicose veins and spider veins?
Spider veins are smaller, closer to the skin surface, and primarily cosmetic. Varicose veins are larger, deeper, and often symptomatic. Both can be treated with minimally invasive procedures.
Q8: Is there any downtime after laser varicose vein treatment?
Most patients return to desk work the following day. Walking is actually encouraged immediately after the procedure. Strenuous exercise and long-haul travel are avoided for one to two weeks.
Q9: Does insurance cover varicose vein laser treatment?
Coverage varies by insurer and policy. Treatment for symptomatic varicose veins (causing pain, swelling, or ulcers) is more likely to be covered than purely cosmetic procedures. We advise patients to check with their insurer before booking.
Q10: Who performs laser varicose vein treatment at Jaju IR Clinic?
Dr. Vivek Vijaykumar Jaju, an Interventional Radiologist with FVIR training from Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, performs all endovenous laser ablation procedures at the clinic using ultrasound-guided technique for maximum precision and safety.