Varicose Veins Treatment

Varicose veins are when the veins, usually in our legs and feet, get big, twisty, and sometimes turn a blue or purple colour. They can hurt quite a bit. Think of them like knotted garden hoses. Many people – about 1 in 3 – will get these twisty veins at some point in their lives. Even though they’re pretty common, the NHS is now only treating the really severe ones. Because of this, many folks are choosing to get help from private doctors and clinics.

Now, it’s important to remember: our legs are at their best when our veins are healthy. So, when we treat people with varicose veins, we aim to fix the root of the problem and not just the pain or the way it looks. And here’s some good news! The way we treat these veins nowadays is pretty simple. There’s no need for heavy-duty surgeries or to be put fully to sleep with anaesthetic. Instead, our methods are gentle and straightforward. You can pop into the clinic, get the treatment, and leave in just a few hours. Best of all? There’s no need to take days off work afterwards!

Endovenous Laser Ablation, or EVLA for short, might sound fancy but let’s break it down. “Endovenous” basically means “inside the vein”, and “ablation” means “to get rid of”. So, EVLA is a method where we use a laser to sort out troubled veins from the inside.

Here’s how it works:

1. Preparation: First, a local anaesthetic is used so you won’t feel any pain.
2. Guidance: We then use an ultrasound scan, a bit like the one used during pregnancy, to see exactly where to place the laser.
3. Zap!: Once the laser is in the right spot, it’s slowly moved along the faulty parts of the veins. As it moves, it heats up the vein, sealing it shut.
4. Repeat: If there are multiple troubled veins, we do the same thing to each of them.

The entire process is quite quick. You’ll usually spend about 2 hours with us, and then you’re good to go!

Why do we like EVLA so much? Well, it’s considered the top treatment for varicose veins. Even the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) – a big name in healthcare – recommends it as the best way to tackle varicose veins.

Also widely known as Phlebectomies, Avulsions serve as an effective method to eliminate noticeable varicose veins from the legs. This treatment stands as an alternative or complementary method to Foam Sclerotherapy, especially when used in conjunction with EVLA.

The Gentle Process of Avulsion Treatments

The Avulsion procedure embraces a minimally invasive approach. Imagine this: a miniature crochet hook is meticulously used to access the targeted veins. Through tiny incisions made on the skin, this crochet hook is delicately introduced to grasp onto the vein, ensuring it is securely held. This process allows the vein to be gently extracted, all whilst the patient remains comfortable under the effect of a local anaesthetic.

Post-Avulsion Care: Seamless Recovery

One of the significant advantages of Avulsions is the minimal aftermath care. The small incisions made during the procedure are so minute that they don’t require any traditional stitches. Instead, we employ steristrips, a form of adhesive strip, ensuring the skin heals smoothly and naturally. This technique offers a more cosmetic-friendly outcome, reducing the chances of noticeable scars.

Addressing the Root of Varicose Veins

It’s crucial to remember that while Avulsions are terrific for improving the cosmetic appearance of one’s legs by removing prominent veins, they don’t necessarily address the root causes of varicose vein issues. Thus, it’s often recommended in combination with other treatments that tackle the core problem.

Living with Varicose Veins: A Reality Check

Many individuals around the world grapple with varicose veins, and it’s no surprise that over time, the symptoms and visual appearance of these veins can become more pronounced. For many, the progression can be more than just a cosmetic concern; it can become a real hindrance in daily life.

Sifting Through Home Remedies

Given the widespread prevalence of varicose veins, there’s no shortage of home remedies touted to bring relief or even a ‘cure’. But it’s essential to approach these remedies with caution. While some might seem harmless, not all have been proven effective, and some might even come with unwanted side effects. A few commonly suggested home treatments include:

• Butcher’s broom: Also known by various other names like box holly or sweet broom, this remedy has been proposed by some.
• Witch hazel: A popular astringent which some believe can help.
• Gotu kola: Often suggested for various health benefits.
• Water therapy: Using water at varying temperatures to promote circulation.
• Dietary changes: Consuming flavonoids and sticking to a high-fibre diet has been recommended by some.

However, it’s vital to understand that while these remedies might offer temporary relief for some, they aren’t backed by solid scientific evidence. Moreover, there’s always a risk of allergies or other side effects.

Lifestyle Changes: Beneficial but Not a Complete Solution

Adopting a healthier lifestyle is always a good idea, and it can offer some relief to those with varicose veins. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and ditching unhealthy habits like smoking can help manage the symptoms to some extent. Yet, it’s crucial to note that these lifestyle modifications, while beneficial, won’t cure the malfunctioning valves in the affected veins.

Seeking Effective Relief

For lasting relief and addressing the root cause of varicose veins, it’s often necessary to consider medical treatments. Minimally invasive procedures have been proven to be effective. Additionally, wearing compression stockings can be a helpful way to alleviate some of the discomfort and swelling associated with varicose veins.

At the initial consultation for leg vein removal, you will be seen by an expert vascular specialist with many years of experience in treating all types of varicose veins. The specialist will begin by carrying out a detailed clinical examination followed by a colour duplex ultrasound scan of both legs. This is a specialised type of ultrasound scan which focuses on the identification of the root cause of the abnormal veins by visualising any areas of abnormal valve function in the affected segment of the vein. Any other areas where blood seems to be stagnating will also be assessed on the ultrasound scan. The vascular specialist will want to learn about your ideas concerns and expectations for treatment and will take this information into account alongside the findings from your medical history and examination. The range of treatment choices available for varicose vein removal will then be discussed with you to allow the selection of the most appropriate vein removal technique.

RELATED: What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins form when venous reflux develops in veins which have developed valve dysfunction. The damaged or weakened vein allows blood to flow in the reverse direction to the normal flow and pooling of blood then occurs in the diseased vein. Over time, the veins begin to increase in size and bulge outwards leading to them becoming highly visible through the skin. Endovenous laser ablation also known as EVLA, is the most commonly used varicose vein treatment to fix the faulty veins that are often found at a deeper location inside the leg. Foam sclerotherapy is used for the treatment of larger veins that may not be amenable to treatment with EVLA.

RELATED: The treatment of varicose veins

For patients who are concerned about the cosmetic appearance of thread veins which are smaller, more superficial veins that are located close to the skin surface, we offer two highly effective treatments including microsclerotherapy and laser thread vein removal. Your varicose vein specialist will be able to determine the most appropriate treatment for you after assessing the results of the colour duplex ultrasound scan of your legs.

RELATED: Comparing varicose veins with healthy veins

After successful treatment with EVLA or foam sclerotherapy, many patients will achieve significant clearance of unsightly looking veins. In many cases even after correct treatment of the underlying cause, there may be a number of smaller residual veins which tend to branch off from the vein that has been treated. These smaller veins can be easily treated at a follow-up appointment to reduce the visibility of these veins which commonly arise from the main vein that was previously treated with EVLA.  The vast majority of patients will require step three for optimum clearance of their prominent leg veins. Your specialist will make use of sclerotherapy techniques which include both foam sclerotherapy and microsclerotherapy as follow-up treatments to address the residual veins. In some cases, patients who have residual veins that bulge outwards may be better served with a phlebectomy procedure. Step three of our treatment protocol can be successfully carried out in combination with endovenous laser ablation used during step 2 or it can be carried out approximately two months after EVLA treatment based on your individual preferences for treatment.

RELATED: Varicose veins recovery

EVLA treatments for varicose veins have been hugely successful for patients who have had to endure symptoms from varicose veins for many years. Although most patients will have achieved outstanding results during steps two and three, a smaller number of patients will require touchup treatments to treat both thread veins and spider veins. The most commonly used treatments include microsclerotherapy and laser thread vein removal, which are both easily carried out by one of our experienced vascular nurses using state-of-the-art gold-standard technologies available at our Baker Street clinic in Marylebone, central London.

At Centre for Surgery in London, we pride ourselves on offering the most competitive prices for varicose vein treatment. The total cost of your treatment includes both the diagnosis and treatment of varicose veins whether EVLA or foam sclerotherapy is chosen for treatment.

We offer fixed prices and full details are available upfront before committing to any treatment. Varicose vein prices are based on treatment per leg and not per each individual vein treated which can significantly increase treatment costs unnecessarily for many patients. We do not do guide prices for any type of vein treatment and there are no hidden costs. Your vascular specialist’s fee and all clinic fees are included in the total cost of varicose vein treatment. We can also guarantee that prices will never change once you have attended the initial consultation. For patients who have private medical insurance, please get in touch with our patient coordinator team to learn about the options available to you.