Endovenous Laser Ablation FAQ

What is endovenous laser ablation (EVLA)?
The endovenous laser ablation procedure is performed by a physician vein specialist, also known as a Phlebologist. At the Vein Care Institute this almost always performed by 2 physicians. We have had outstanding success treating patients together and strongly feel that your overall experience and results will be the best because both of us contribute to your care. The EVLA procedure is done in a procedure room at our office and requires only local anesthesia. Some patients prefer to have an oral sedative such as Valium or Ativan and this can be given just prior to the procedure. (If you opt to take the oral sedative, you must have someone to drive you home.) A very thin bare laser fiber is inserted into a varicose vein within the leg through a tiny skin puncture. Laser energy heats up the vein causing it to shrink and collapse. The venous blood flow is then routed to healthy veins within the leg muscles. Any residual branch veins remaining after the EVLA procedure are effectively treated by the Phlebologist using ultrasound guided sclerotherapy and/or visual sclerotherapy during follow up treatment sessions. Unlike surgical vein stripping where there is significant down time, patients treated with the EVLA procedure and/or with sclerotherapy have no down time, and can resume normal activities immediately.

Can you exercise after the EVLA procedure?
Exercise is not only permitted following the EVLA procedure, it is encouraged. Immediately after the EVLA procedure, our patients are encouraged to walk for 20 minutes. We find that patients who use their leg muscles every day after the EVLA procedure have faster healing, less discomfort, and fewer complications. The simplest and most effective form of exercise to optimize leg vein function is walking. We often have our patients abstain from swimming and bathing (showering is okay) for 1 week following the EVLA procedure.