Treatment of varicose veins

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are enlarged blood vessels that form beneath the skin surface. The one-way valves in the veins that would normally channel the blood back to the heart do not function properly, causing the blood to 'pool' in the veins. This pooling stretches the veins, creating swollen and twisted blood vessels that appear under the skin as blue, rope-like veins. These veins can become large and unattractive and can produce symptoms such as tired, heavy, aching, burning, itching or cramping legs.

How are varicose veins treated?

The choice of which treatment is best for and individual may vary depending on a number of factors including the size and position of the varicose veins and whether there are any underlying blood flow or reflux problems.

What are the treatment options?

Varicose veins can be treated by surface sclerotherapy if there is no significant underlying venous pathology.  For more information see Sclerotherapy.

When varicose veins are associated with underlying venous pathology then to control and manage these deeper veins will require either Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy (UGS) For more information see UGS or EndoVenous Laser Treatment (EVLT) For more information see EVLT

Whilst at the Cosmetic & laser Medical Centre we specialise in minimally invasive leg vein treatments without surgery there may be certain individual patients where a surgical option may need to be considered  and if necessary appropriate referral can be provided.

What if I have both varicose & spider veins?

Treating the underlying varicose veins will not usually result in any significant reduction in spider veins.  Generally to achieve optimal results the underlying varicose veins are managed first and then spider veins are treated as secondary procedure.  For more information see Spider Veins

Related Items

• About Veins
• Spider Veins