Varicose Vein Treatment

FAQ’s relating to this procedure

What are varicose veins?

‘Varicose' is the name given to veins which have become enlarged, distorted and clearly visible through the skin of the leg. In this condition, the veins hold more blood at higher pressure than normal, forcing fluid into surrounding tissue. As a result, the leg aches and feels heavy.

Why is treatment advisable?

Unsightly and usually uncomfortable, varicose veins can be a source of real distress to sufferers. They can lead to more serious and unpleasant conditions such as phlebitis and leg ulcers. Early treatment prevents skin damage and can restore the leg to normal.

How do varicose veins occur?

The veins carry blood back to your heart. During movement, such as walking, your calf muscle contracts and acts like a pump. With every step, blood is pumped up the veins and back to the heart.

To keep your blood flowing back towards your heart, your veins have a series of one way valves. If the valves fail, the blood flows in reverse – into the superficial veins and down the leg. As a result, the veins enlarge and become varicose.

For successful treatment, this reverse flow must be stopped at the site or sites of the valve failure.

What are the early tell-tale signs?

Long before you notice the obvious blue veins bulging under the skin, the early signs are normally thread veins at the inner ankle. Other common symptoms include aching over the veins. In more severe cases, you may have eczema and skin discoloration.

Although varicose veins may seem to affect only one leg, detailed investigation often shows early problems in the other leg.

Can I be tested for varicose veins?

To ensure you receive the correct treatment for your particular problem, ultrasound testing is essential.

An inaccurate diagnosis can result in inappropriate surgery. Studies suggest that varicose veins can come back in up to 60% of such cases.

At SurgiCare, the latest ultrasound diagnostic techniques will accurately identify the cause of your varicose veins and their stage of development. Ultrasound is painless and identifies the vein and junction where valves have failed. Visual examination on its own cannot achieve this.

What is ultrasound testing?

Ultrasound technology identifies back flow in a vein showing the location of the failed valves. Colour Duplex Imaging (CDI) is in complicated cases or if an operation has been done before.

What treatments are available?

For people with only minor varicose veins which are causing no symptoms the best option is to do nothing.

Aching legs after standing for long periods can be relieved by wearing below knee support stockings during the day. These have graduated pressure, come in a variety of colours and are indistinguishable from ordinary hose.

Unsightly veins arising from isolated sources of incompetence can be injected or removed under local anaesthetic.

When varicose veins are due to incompetence of the main long or short saphenous veins the underlying cause must be dealt with to avoid recurrence. This means removal or obliteration of the saphenous vein.

Operation

Surgery under local or general anaesthetic when undertaken by an expert still offers the greatest chance of success.

Through a small incision the incompetent vein is tied off and removed (stripped). Other varicose veins are removed through tiny (2mm) incisions.

The bruising and discomfort after this procedure are not as great as is often claimed and the scars are minimal. It is still the best metod for treating recurrence in a main vein.

There is usually some brusing and if this occurs in the vein track it can cause discomfort for a few weeks although people are back to work within in a week or so.

Non-surgical treatments

Many people dislike the idea of surgery and now with new techniques, we are able toobliterate the vein in-situ. There are three ways of doing this:

1. Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVL)
   Under local anaesthetic and ultrasound guidance a thin optical fibre is passed up the vein from the knee to its junction with the main vein in the groin. A laser light is used to heat the vein wall along its length which causes immediate occlusion of the vein. This is confirmed with ultrasound at the end of the procedure. Varicosities can be removed at the same time or injected at a later date.
   This works in at least 95 % of people for at least 3 years but longer term results are not yet available. The main advantage is that there is minimal discomfort and people are back to normal activity almost immediately. There may still be some bruising which will fade over a couple of weeks.
   
   
2. Radiofrequency Ablation
   The same technique is used but heat is generated by radiofrequency rather than laser energy.
   The reported results are as good as for EVL therapy and the complications are the same.
   
   
3. Foam Sclerotherapy
   Varicose veins have been treated by injecting a sclerosant solution for decades. The popularity of this technique has been limited by stockings having to be worn for long periods, the injections needing repeating and the results being very variable.
   If the sclerosant is mixed with gas to make a fine foam much less needs to be injected and contact with the vein wall is increased giving more consistent results of up to 85% success at three years. . However, injecting air directly into the bloodstream can cause temporary visual disturbance or worse. Skin staining occurs in some 40 % of cases. The long term results are unlikely to match EVL or surgery and this technique has not been widely adopted in the UK.

You will discuss your treatment plan with your surgeon after the investigations. The final choice is up to you.

How does varicose vein treatment work?

Under SurgiCare's team of experienced and specialised surgeons, varicose vein treatment can usually be undertaken as a day case.

The procedure is normally carried out under local anaesthetic, although some people prefer to be asleep.
Refined techniques using modern instruments provide excellent cosmetic results with little bruising or discomfort and a low rate of recurrence.

Full mobility including driving a car usually returns in less than a week. After EVL you can return to normal activity immediately.

What are venous leg ulcers?

These are areas of the lower leg where the skin has died and exposed the flesh beneath. They are painful and odorous open wounds which leak fluid. Leg ulcers can last for months or even years and can often be socially isolating.

Most leg ulcers occur when vein disease – including varicose veins – is left untreated. SurgiCare can provide a detailed examination to confirm whether surgery is needed to correct the underlying problem and provide a lasting cure.

What are thread veins?

These are tiny veins which become visible through the skin and appear like webs. Although unsightly, they cause few ill effects. Before treatment by injection, it is important to ensure that there are no underlying varicose veins. Treatment by injection using tiny needles is virtually painless and can achieve a significant improvement in appearance lasting several years. Laser treatment is very effective on the face and trunk but Injection Sclerotherapy has been shown to give the best results in the legs.

What should I do next?

If you think you have varicose veins, you should consult your own doctor or SurgiCare's specialists who will conduct a thorough investigation and explain the results.. Your doctor will be kept fully informed.

If the tests confirm that you have varicose veins, we will sit down with you and work out a personal treatment plan.

Why choose SurgiCare?

SurgiCare's team of experienced nurses and surgeons are committed to providing care to the highest standards. We provide:

• Advanced diagnostic techniques
• High quality treatment
• Excellent patient information
• Personalised care

SurgiCare is recognised by most major private health care insurers (excluding PPP of course) and regularly receives referrals from GPs, Health Authorities and NHS Trusts.

How much does varicose vein treatment cost?

For an estimate on how much varicose vein treatment may cost, we recommend that you call SurgiCare FREE on 08000 46 1000 for our latest varicose vein treatment prices. For specific information based on your individual needs, we will be happy to arrange a no obligation consultation.

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