Varicose veins on the legs are a common condition, with 1 in 3 people developing the condition at some point in their lives. The condition most often occurs in the legs, and while predominantly a cosmetic issue it can also cause a lot of discomfort.
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Left untreated, varicose veins can lead to open sores on the legs and even blood clots. This is why, if you develop varicose veins, you should get in touch with Centre for Surgery in London.
What can cause varicose leg veins?
Varicose veins, wherever they may occur, develop when the small vein valves benign to weaken. These valves regulate blood flow and make sure that blood travels in one direction. When they are damaged blood moves backwards through the veins and begins to pool.
When this happens, the veins swell and varicose veins develop.
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Treating varicose veins in the legs
There are several treatment options for varicose veins, including booking a consultation and treatment session at Centre for Surgery. At home, there are some self-care measures that can be taken.
- Weight loss. Excess weight puts strain on the veins in the legs, so losing weight (if the person is overweight) can alleviate symptom severity.
- Exercise. Even light exercise improves blood circulation, from the heart to the legs and back again.
- Footwear choice. Wearing high heels increases pressure on the veins in the legs. This increases the chances of blood pooling in a damaged vein.
- Compression stockings. This type of stocking reduces swelling and lowers the chance of blood clots.
Even when taking preventative and symptom alleviating measures, there is no certainty that a person can completely stop varicose veins from developing.
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Varicose vein treatment
Because there are many treatments for varicose veins, a consultation should be booked with an experienced clinician such as those at Centre for Surgery. These specialist consultants can accurately assess the severity of the situation, and the nature of the problem.
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During the consultation, the clinician will perform a Duplex Ultrasound scan. This will give the consultant an in-depth view of the extent of the damage done to the veins. The consultant will then be able to provide the surgeon with all the information they need to recommend the most suitable course of action.
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Depending on the severity of the varicose veins, laser treatment may be suggested or foam sclerotherapy. This is why a Duplex Ultrasound scan is such an important first step in the process.
Laser treatment (EVLA)
Endovenous Laser Ablation is one of the most popular, minimally invasive, treatments to remove varicose veins. This method takes around 45 minutes and is one of the easiest treatments for the patient. EVLA treatment uses a special laser to target the damaged vein and uses heat to collapse it. A very small incision is first made (under local anaesthesia) before the laser tip is inserted. Within a few short weeks, the vein breaks down and is then removed from the body naturally.
Foam sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy treatments involve the injection of a liquid, or foam solution that is known as a ‘sclerosant. This solution goes into the affected vein and shrinks it. The treatment takes 30 minutes, under local anaesthesia, and it is the better method for the removal of smaller varicose veins that are nearer to the surface of the skin – such as so-called thread veins.
How does it work? The foamy solution coats the walls of the vein and pushes blood out of the affected area. Once the blood is removed from the damaged area, the vein walls stick together and close. They then shrink and are removed naturally by the body.
The liquid version of this treatment uses a similar solution, just as a liquid rather than a foam. Liquid Sclerotherapy treatments are better for smaller veins, while the foam version is better suited for veins that are not as close to the surface of the skin.
Phlebectomy treatment
Another varicose vein treatment option is a phlebectomy. This is one of the oldest, minimally invasive, options and involves the use of a small scalpel and a type of hook. In this treatment, veins are removed manually from just below the surface of the skin.
This method can be highly effective if the patient has large, bulging varicose veins that are close to the surface of the skin. A local anaesthetic is administered to the affected area, to minimise the pain. Next, the vascular surgeon will make a tiny opening in the skin using a scalpel. A very small hook-shaped instrument is then inserted so the surgeon can remove the damaged vein. Compared to other methods, such as laser treatment, this is definitely more invasive. That being said, studies do verify the amazing success rate of this treatment method. 95% of patients that had the phlebectomy treatment experienced significant pain relief and reduced symptoms after their treatment session.
This method also comes with a fast recovery rate and it leaves no obvious scarring, at least for the huge majority of patients.
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Vein Treatments at Centre for Surgery
Our consultants, clinicians and surgeons are among the most highly trained and best-regarded in the country. One has to look at the various review sites on the internet for proof of that.
The first step in treating your varicose veins is to speak to one of our consultants. During this consultation, you will be asked about your treatment goals and time-frame expectations will also be discussed.
You will also, as with any other medical consultation, be asked about your medical history. The consultant will also enquire as to whether you have had varicose veins before and whether they were successfully treated.
Contact us today to book your varicose vein consultation
Getting in touch with us, to book a consultation or to enquire about anything, could not be easier. You can either use the simple form on our contact page, or you can give us a call on 0207 993 4849.
If you do book a consultation, we are easy to find and our address is Centre for Surgery, London, 106 Crawford Street. We look forward to hearing from you.
