Varicose veins – the blue, bulging, kinked veins often seen on the back of the calves or inner leg – are the symptom of a circulation problem that worsens if left untreated. The problem is often caused by faulty valves in the greater saphenous vein, a major superficial vein which directs blood flow to the heart. When the valves become weak and inefficient, blood backs up and pools in the smaller veins that channel flow into the greater saphenous vein, explained Alpa Chandarana, M.D., an interventional radiologist at Loyola University Health System (Loyola).  

Seven years ago, Doser had sclerotherapy, a special injection to close off the bulging veins, but a few years later they came back. Sclerotherapy often is not an effective long-term cure for people with serious varicose veins, Chandarana explained, because it targets the unsightly veins on the surface rather than the root of the problem, which often is the greater saphenous vein.   

Chandarana, along with the director of interventional radiology, Marc Borge, M.D., perform a minimally invasive procedure that uses the direct application of radiofrequency energy to a faulty greater saphenous vein in order to seal off the faulty vein.  After closing the ineffective pathway, blood is redirected into healthy veins with functional valves. The procedure is called endoluminal radiofrequency thermal ablation, and it offers quicker recovery time than vein stripping surgery, which has been traditionally used to remove a dysfunctional greater saphenous vein.  

“After the procedure, most patients return to their daily activities in a day or two, versus a week or more of recovery time after surgery,’ said Alpa Chandarana, M.D. “And they experience less pain and bruising than with traditional surgery.’  

Indeed, Chandarana truly practices what she preaches: She was the first patient at Loyola to have the procedure for her own varicose veins. She was able to relate to Doser both as a physician and a fellow patient. “I started getting varicose veins in high school,’ Chandarana said. “After I had the procedure, my legs immediately felt lighter, like I had on a new pair of running shoes. I was so used to the heavy feeling in my legs due to the poor circulation.’  

“It was great to have her perspective,’ Doser said. “She walked me through everything I was to expect, and was very honest, very easy to understand.’  

Sedated with local anesthesia, Doser felt a slight burning sensation, nothing more, during the two-hour procedure. Afterward, her recovery was swift. She walked to the car herself and was at work the next day. She wore compression stockings for three weeks.  

“My earlier treatment required 12 visits, and two years later, the varicose veins came back. At Loyola, I had one procedure on each leg, and I´m done,’ Doser said. “It was wonderful to have it not uproot my entire life.’  

Doser would urge anyone looking at treatment for varicose veins to consider this option. In fact, she´s already referred three friends to Loyola. “It really made a difference in my life. It allows me to be more active. There are so many things I could not do before that I am able to do now.’

-->Go back to issue index-->