Varicose veins are a common medical condition, especially in the legs, in which the veins become enlarged and swollen, often accompanied by pain, swelling, and fatigue.
To treat varicose veins, there are two main options that are often recommended by doctors, namely the use of compression stockings and surgery.
However, which one is more effective in solving this problem?
Can Compression Stockings Get Rid of Varicose Veins?
Compression stockings are medical devices designed to apply pressure to the legs to help blood flow back to the heart.
Varicose compression stockings are not intended to cure the disease, but rather to prevent and support recovery after medical procedures.
Compression stockings work by applying the greatest pressure at the ankle area, which gradually decreases as the stocking moves up the leg.
This aims to address the problem of obstructed blood flow and reduce swelling in the legs.
Although very effective in prevention and aiding the recovery process after medical procedures, compression stockings cannot cure varicose veins permanently.
These stockings are more often used for cases of varicose veins that are still in the mild stage or to support patients after undergoing certain medical procedures, such as the use of heat or thermal energy in the treatment of varicose veins.
However, if the medical procedure uses materials such as cyanoacrylate (a type of blood clotting agent), stockings may not be necessary.
What Surgery is Required for Varicose Veins?
On the other hand, surgery is needed when varicose veins have reached a more severe stage, such as the appearance of ulcers or open wounds that continue to discharge fluid and smell.
In this condition, although compression stockings can help relieve symptoms, they are not enough to improve the condition that has worsened. Severe varicose veins can cause persistent swelling due to restricted blood flow.
If this is left untreated, the skin can crack and open, increasing the risk of infection.
In cases like this, surgical procedures such as sclerotherapy or endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) will be necessary to remove the problematic blood vessels and restore normal blood flow.
When to Choose Compression Stockings and When to Have Surgery?
Compression stockings are ideal for use in patients with mild to moderate varicose veins, especially those who are experiencing symptoms for the first time or those who have jobs that require prolonged standing.
These stockings are also very effective in preventing varicose veins in individuals with a family history or certain risk factors.
Meanwhile, surgery or medical procedures are more recommended for patients who experience severe varicose veins, with symptoms that interfere with quality of life, such as ulcers or skin infections.
If varicose veins have caused serious problems, surgery is a more appropriate action to overcome this problem permanently.
The article was created based on the Healthy Monday program in collaboration with EMC Healthcare and Liputan6, with resource persons, Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Specialist Doctors, dr. Londung Brisman Sitorus, Sp.B, SubSp.BVE (K) (EMC Alam Sutera & Tangerang Hospital) and dr. Anne Saputra, M.Biomed, Sp.B, Subsp.BVE (K) (EMC Pulomas Hospital).