Varicose veins are a common and widely occurring medical problem, the underlying cause of which can be treated using current, minimally invasive techniques.
These enlarged, twisting veins are typically found in the legs and feet. Varicose veins may be blue or purple in colour, potentially causing significant pain in the most extreme cases. Research has shown that around 1 in 3 people will develop varicose veins during their lifetime.
NHS treatment of varicose veins is generally limited to only the most extreme cases, prompting patients to seek treatment from private providers.
Healthy legs require healthy veins, meaning that it is important to treat the cause as well as work to alleviate the symptoms.
Vein treatments from Veincentre are minimally invasive - no general anaesthetic is required, and the treatments are not surgical in nature. Patients walk in, receive treatment and walk out within a few hours. There is no need to take time off work or take a break from other commitments.
Varicose veins treatment
It is often possible to live with varicose veins, but there is a risk of symptoms and appearance gradually becoming worse. Lifestyle changes including regular exercise, a healthy diet and stopping smoking can help manage the condition, but lifestyle changes alone cannot address an underlying cause.
The best and most reliable means of relieving existing symptoms is to treat the underlying cause via a minimally invasive procedure.
In order to determine the most appropriate type of varicose vein treatment, a duplex ultrasound scan is frequently employed to look for the underlying cause.
For example, patients with confirmed varicose veins typically benefit from a combination of endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) to address the underlying cause and foam sclerotherapy to address the visible veins.
Under specific circumstances, it may be prudent to employ foam sclerotherapy as the primary treatment for varicose veins, but this is typically reserved for use as a secondary post-EVLA treatment to treat smaller residual veins.
Varicose veins treatment has historically involved a surgical operation known as stripping, which removes the problem vein. As an invasive procedure, this surgery involves incisions, stitches, general anaesthetic and a number of weeks at home to rest and recover.
This form of varicose vein surgery tends to yield good results, but the rate of varicose vein recurrence is reported to have been as high as 7 in 10 patients.
It is also important to note that NHS treatments are generally only offered to patients presenting with severe symptoms or leg ulceration. Endovenous approaches can be offered under these circumstances, but extremely limited resources result in patients being offered foam sclerotherapy or compression bandages as treatment options.
Varicose vein treatment types
A number of common approaches are used to treat varicose veins.
Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA)
The term ‘endovenous’ refers to processes occurring inside the vein, while ablation is a medical term meaning ‘to destroy.’
Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) is the process of using a laser to destroy affected veins from the inside. This treatment is performed under local anaesthetic with an ultrasound scan employed to guide the laser into place.
The laser is then slowly pulled along the problematic valves, using intense heat to seal the vein.
This process will be repeated on all the identified veins causing the patient’s varicose veins. Treatment via EVLA typically takes around 2 hours in total.
EVLA is widely regarded as the gold standard treatment for varicose veins. It is recommended by NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) as part of its guidance.
Foam sclerotherapy
Foam sclerotherapy is generally applied as a secondary treatment to EVLA. This technique is most commonly used to treat visible veins and enhance the legs’ cosmetic appearance. For patients with smaller varicose veins, however, it may only be necessary to apply foam sclerotherapy.
This treatment is undertaken on an outpatient basis, typically taking around 30-45 minutes depending on the number of veins requiring treatment. Foam sclerotherapy makes use of a specific drug to eliminate vein wall linings, causing these to shrivel up and be absorbed by the body.
Some medical professionals opt to treat large veins via foam sclerotherapy, but results are rarely as effective or as robust as those achievable via EVLA. This method is therefore not recommended as a primary treatment for most patients.
Avulsions
Avulsions are often referred to as phlebectomies. This process involves the physical removal of any visible varicose veins, representing an alternative treatment to foam sclerotherapy which is often employed alongside or after EVLA. Avulsions do not treat underlying causes of vein problems, however.
It should be noted that avulsions do require tiny skin incisions, with the medical professional using a small crochet hook to grasp surface veins and physically remove these. As such, it is necessary to perform avulsions under local anaesthetic.
The incisions created during avulsions do require stitches – these can be sealed with steristrips.
Home remedies
It is possible to live with untreated varicose veins or wear a compression stocking to ease symptoms, though symptoms and appearance may still worsen over time and become debilitating.
A diverse array of alternative remedies are proposed for this common condition, but these treatments may trigger allergies or side effects, and there is a lack of robust evidence that any of these other treatments work at all.
Examples of alternative remedies include butcher’s broom (knee holly, box holly, pettigree, sweet broom), gotu kola, witch hazel, water therapy, flavonoids and a high-fibre diet.
Ensuring that a patient takes regular exercise, maintains a healthy diet and do not smoke can help to manage the condition, but lifestyle changes alone cannot reverse the effects of unhealthy valves when these are present in affected veins.
Effective relief of existing symptoms requires treatment of their underlying cause – an outcome best achieved via a minimally invasive procedure.
Head to Veincentre's website to learn more about their varicose vein treatment pathway and their prices.
Varicose vein treatment aftercare
It is necessary to wear a surgical support stocking for a week after any vein treatment. This prevents the patient from swimming, but it does not typically restrict their movement.
Assuming these are not too strenuous, it is advisable to continue normal activities following treatment. It is important to note that while these procedures are minimally invasive, the human body still requires a period of recovery to heal and absorb all the treated veins.
Amounts and intensities of exercise should be guided by how the patient’s legs feel, being careful not to push the body too far. Exercises such as horse riding and heavy weightlifting are prohibited for 4 weeks after treatment, but, if possible, it is advisable to walk for at least 20 minutes each day.
The consultant will provide bespoke advice around any other activities to avoid based on the patient’s lifestyle.
Patients should not drive on the day of treatment, but driving can be done the next day. Long-haul flights over 4 hours in duration are also restricted for 4 weeks post-treatment.
Levels of discomfort after treatment differ greatly between patients. While the vast majority of Veincentre’s patients describe the procedure and the recovery process as uncomfortable or mildly painful, pain can be easily managed via over-the-counter painkillers.
A small minority of patients suffer levels of pain that require them to pause routine activities or take time off work.
About Veincentre
Veincentre are the UK’s leading varicose veins specialists using Gold Standard, minimally invasive techniques, with 15 clinics nationwide.
At Veincentre, we provide the most effective, proven treatment and the highest quality of care that is accessible to everyone. We treat the cause, not just the symptoms! All our treatments are minimally invasive – walk-in, walk-out, require no general anaesthetic, no surgery and no time off work.
The most important aspect of care for any condition is the ability and attitude of the team of doctors and nurses looking after you. We have headhunted some of the most experienced and respected vein specialists in the UK. By choosing Veincentre, you can be assured that discomfort will be minimised, outcomes will be optimised, and you will be looked after by a team who really care for you
From your initial point of contact you will be communicating with our patient advisers, who only deal with patients who suffer from varicose veins so are all highly experienced and can confidently answer all of your queries or provide any advice.
Start your journey to healthy veins and happy legs…
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