Varicose Veins

No. of Treatments

1-3

Recovery Time

1-2 Days

Procedure Time

20-30 minutes

Discomfort Level

Minimal

Longevity of results

Long Lasting

Anaesthetic

Local Anaesthetic

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are enlarged, dilated veins which can affect men and women normally from age 50, most commonly in the legs and feet.  They affect up to a third of people, particularly those who stand for long periods on a daily basis.  They often run in families and can become worse during pregnancy.   Varicose veins can be cosmetically unattractive but can also cause pain and lead to varicose eczema and varicose ulcers

What causes varicose veins?

To return blood to the heart, veins in the legs must work against gravity.  Small valves in the veins open to allow blood to flow toward the heart and close to stop it flowing backwards. With age, veins lose elasticity and the valves in the veins can become weak, resulting in the blood that should move towards the heart to flow backward. Blood pools in the veins and the veins enlarge and become varicose.

Signs and symptoms of varicose veins

Symptoms of varicose veins vary in severity. Some don’t have any symptoms at all, while others experience aching, throbbing itchy legs, swollen feet and ankles or muscle cramp.  Pain often worsens after sitting or standing for a prolonged time.  Signs with varicose veins include prominent veins that are dark purple or blue in colour and veins that appear twisted and bulging.  Varicose veins can also bleed.

Varicose vein treatment

There are a number of techniques used to treat varicose veins non-surgically. These involve closing the veins using injected foam(sclerotherapy) or applied heat energy through a small skin incision (endovenous ablation).

Sclerotherapy involves injecting sclerosant through a small needle into the veins superficially, causing the lining of the vein to swell and clot. This treatment is quick, causes minimal discomfort and most people can resume normal activities the same day.

The veins can become more prominent for a few weeks following treatment but this is common and will resolve with time.  It is also possible further treatments may be required.  Some patients require 2 to 6 treatments at 4-8 week intervals.

Endovenous ablation uses radiofrequency energy to cauterise and close varicose veins in the legs. It is most commonly used to help ease varicose vein related symptoms such as aching, swelling, skin itching and discolouration.  During the procedure ultrasound is used to visualise the varicose vein and a radiofrequency electrode is advanced to the desired location within the vein.  Local anaesthesia is injected and radiofrequency energy is applied, heating the vessel and causing it to close. This causes the vein to shrink and scar down. 

Endovenous ablation is very safe and less invasive than surgery. Most patients are able to walk immediately after treatment and resume normal activities in 1 to 2 days.