As many as 40 million Americans and 41 percent of women suffer from varicose veins, a sometimes painful medical condition. It's not just elderly patients, but the new moms and people that are on their feet day in and day out that can suffer.
Local Doctors are performing a new procedure that can dramatically shrink the vein in two minutes; quick enough for it to be done on your lunch break.
Shonya Moffett has two full time jobs. She's a mom and works in the billing department at Target.
"I've had problems since I got pregnant with my son, so 11 to 12 years ago," said Moffett.
The varicose veins in her legs have been causing her pain for years. It did not really start hurting her until she went back to work full time.
The constant pain made Shonya a candidate for a new minimally invasive procedure that uses heat to shrink the veins.
Dr. Amy Reed, an Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Cincinnati said, "What we're doing is taking the vein from an open tube to a contracted, closed tube. When that radio frequency is applied to the vein wall it causes it to have this intense contraction that doesn't open back up hopefully."
The procedure uses a catheter to deliver radio frequency energy to heat and close leg veins in just a few minutes.
"They are really able to go on with their day, and walk the same day, and without having an incision it decreases their risk of infection. It really is more comfortable for the patient," explained Dr. Reed.
"I was very surprised at how quick it was. It seemed like I would be in there longer," said Moffett.
Genetics, age, and pregnancy can contribute to this problem.
Clinical studies have found this procedure 97 percent effective and painless for most patients.
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