Leg Work

By Susan Erler

No one enjoys the appearance of spider or varicose veins on their legs. They can be not only unsightly, but painful as well. Many people try to cover their legs by wearing pantyhose or they simply avoid wearing skirts or shorts, even during the hot summer months. These extreme measures simply aren't necessary anymore.

Dr. Kyle Hrdlicka, D.O., at the Vascular, Vein and Laser Center in Claremore, can help with the laser removal of those veins. "Our primary focus will be on patients who wish to get rid of their spider veins etc. for cosmetic reasons, and those who have varicose veins and who need them removed for medical reasons," says Dr. Hrdlicka.

Symptoms of varicose veins include aching and tired legs, pain at the site of the vein, swelling or edema, and in the case of extensive disease, large sores or skin ulcers.

Dr. Hrdlicka encourages anyone who may have concerns about the appearance of veins on their legs to stop wondering what can be done, and schedule an appointment to get the facts. The first visit with the doctor is free and after the problem has been diagnosed, a treatment plan can be set up. Next, the patient will be counseled on what to expect from the treatments as well as what results they can achieve.

"Most patients will need anywhere from one treatment for mild cases up to three or four, for more severe problems," states Dr. Hrdlicka. Some patients may need a combination of treatments in order to achieve the desired results.

This is a new procedure that the doctors at Claremore Surgeons, Inc. are offering. Claremore Surgeons is a trusted medical facility that has been in practice for 30 years. They perform general and vascular surgery and specialize in a complete line of laparoscopic, vascular, and endovascular surgery. Dr. Kyle Hrdlicka joined the group two years ago and has been very successful with his practice and with his laser treatments.

The laser vein treatments work by delivering laser energy through a hand-held device with a cooling tip. The cooling tip provides additional safety and comfort during the treatment by lowering the thermal effect on your skin's surface. Some patients may experience a slight stinging or burning sensation during the treatment. In that case, Dr. Hrdlicka uses a topical, anesthetic cream, which usually eliminates the discomfort. "The laser works well with blue veins and those that are up to 3 or 4mm in diameter," states Hrdlicka. The cost for a 20-minute treatment is approximately $300, which may be covered by insurance if the procedure is deemed medically necessary. Cosmetic procedures are usually not covered by insurance.

Dr. Hrdlicka has found that the laser is also effective in hair reduction procedures. "We call this treatment 'hair reduction', not hair removal because essentially, we are reducing the number of hairs that grow," he explains. "The laser will eliminate hair only in a certain phase of growth. Usually, we can get rid of 30% of the hair in that area, per visit." Therefore, after three or four treatments, patients usually will have achieved significant reduction of hair in the treated area.

During this procedure, the laser beam penetrates your skin and gets absorbed in the hair follicle residing under the skin's surface. The laser energy destroys the follicle with the heat it generates. Because the laser beam is large in diameter, it affects a large number of hairs simultaneously. The same slight stinging sensation that is experienced during vein removal occurs with the hair reduction treatments. However, with a topical anesthetic cream, this discomfort is minimal.

If you would like to get more information on either of these new procedures, give Dr. Kyle Hrdlicka a call at (918)341-5311 or 1-800-834-0090. Or you may visit his office located in Doctors Park at 1220 N. Florence Ave. in Claremore.