Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are tortuous veins that are usually blue or purple in colour. They are most commonly seen on legs. Apart from causing general discomfort, varicose veins may also lead to swollen ankles and painful muscle cramps.
Varicose veins develop when the valves within superficial veins stop working. In a normal vein, backward-flow of blood is prevented by a number of valves that open and close in intervals. When these valves stop functioning properly, blood gets caught up in the veins, resulting in swollen varicose veins.
Although varicose veins do not particularly result in any serious health hazard, they do impart an unpleasant appearance to the area it develops in. We offer a number of different ways to treat varicose veins, best of which are the endovenous radiofrequency and laser therapy therapy.
The best way to diagnose varicose veins is a duplex ultrasound. During the assessment, a water-based gel is placed on to the skin of your leg (from groin to ankle) and an ultrasound probe is run over the skin surface, giving a picture of the veins and the direction of blood flow. The scan provides a “map” of the varicose veins in your leg to determine which treatment will be the best option for you.
As the main veins in your leg (the deep veins) are also checked during the scan, any underlying problems which may exclude you from treatment will also be identified. Our team of vascular surgeons and scientists also offer advices and suggestions to our patients in following a few basic tips to prevent formation of varicose veins in future.
Three Main Types Of Veins
Truncal varicose veins come from the superficial veins. These are thick and lumpy and usually clearly visible.
Reticular veins come from smaller branches of the superficial veins. They tend to be less lumpy.
Spider veins (or thread veins). These are the smallest branches of the superficial veins. These are the very tiny veins you see at the surface of the skin.
Whether you are looking for advice because you don't like the look of you veins or if they provide you with pain and discomfort, we will be able to manage and treat your symptoms accordingly offering a range of treatments depending on the types of troublesome veins you present with.
Treatment options
The best treatment for you will depend partly on the type of varicose veins you have. We offer:
Endothermal ablation - This minimally invasive procedure is suitable for treating the larger trunk varicose veins. It involves using a catheter which heats the vein and seals it shut from the inside. You can be treated under local anaesthetic and should be able to resume normal activities very quickly.
Surgery - This is the traditional way to deal with trunk varicose veins. This is still suitable if you have extensive varicose veins or if you have had veins that have grown back in an un-uniform fashion. The operation is performed under general anaesthetic and you should be able to carry on your normal activities in a few days.
Foam Sclerotherapy - This is best for tortuous veins that a catheter will not be able to be passed up. It is a treatment under local anaesthetic. You make a small injection and using foam, it safely destroys the problematic veins
Some patients will require a combination of treatments but we will tailor it according to your needs.
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