What is Radiofrequency Closure?

What is Radiofrequency Closure?

If you are someone currently suffering from a vascular disorder, there is a good chance that you’ve heard of this procedure at least once.

It sounds like something out of the future, but I assure you that this technology is both practical and effective for treating conditions such as venous insufficiency or varicose veins.

At Delray Beach Podiatry, Dr. Ian S. Goldbaum, a podiatric physician and surgeon with over 30 years of experience, specializes in treating a wide variety of vascular disorders by utilizing this advanced ultrasound technology.

Dr. Goldbaum performing Radiofrequency Closure on a patient suffering from venous insufficiency.

“We use Radiofrequency Closure,” said Dr. Goldbaum. “We close down the faulty vein, allowing the oxygen to get to the muscles and the nerves. This keeps the de-oxygenated blood from pooling as it does with venous insufficiency.”

The closure procedure is performed in the office and takes roughly 30 minutes to perform. Using ultrasound guidance, a thin catheter is inserted into the diseased vein and delivers radiofrequency energy to the vein wall.

“We do an ultrasound of the lower extremity and actually measure the diameter of the vein,” said Dr. Goldbuam. “We can then measure the distance between Point A and Point B and measure the speed of the blood flow. If it doesn’t make the proper numbers, then we can conclude that the patient has venous insufficiency.”

As the radiofrequency energy is delivered and the catheter is withdrawn, the vein wall is heated, causing the collagen in the wall to shrink and the vein to close.

Once the diseased vein is closed, blood is re-routed to healthy veins and circulation will begin to improve. For an easier understanding, Dr. Goldbaum likens the procedure to fixing a traffic jam – when one road is blocked, cars simply take a detour to get to their destination.

The procedure is performed using local anesthesia and there is virtually no post-operative discomfort.

“The patient walks in and then walks out with only one stitch,” said Dr. Goldbaum. “It’s a nice procedure and takes away a lot of the problems caused by conditions such as venous insufficiency.”

Most patients notice an improvement in their symptoms within a few days after receiving radiofrequency treatment. Studies have shown that the Closure procedure has a 95% long term success rate. The procedure is approved by the FDA and is covered by medical insurance plans and Medicare.

If you think Radiofrequency Closure may be the answer to your vascular problems, please see our contact information below.

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The content on this website is for informational purposes only. Do not rely or act upon information from www.DelrayBeachPodiatry.com without seeking professional medical advice. If you live in South Florida and would like a consultation with Dr. Ian Goldbaum, a podiatric physician and surgeon with over 30 years of experience, please see our contact information below:

BOCA/DELRAY

16244 S. Military Trail #290, Delray Beach, FL 33445

561-499-0033

BOYNTON BEACH

8198 Jog Road #100