Varicose Veins
Veins in the leg carry blood back to the heart. The dilated veins can cause:- pain, itching, swelling, feeling of heaviness, skin changes and ulceration. However some do not cause any symptoms and just look unpleasant
Treatment Options
These vary on an individual basis. Taking into account the results of history, clinical examination, ultrasound investigation and patient preference.
Compression Hosiery
The use of elastic stockings to minimize the symptoms.
Foam Sclerotherapy
A chemical is injected into the vein under ultrasound control. This may need to be repeated a few times and is done as an outpatient.
Endoluminal Ablation (Laser or Radiofrequency)
The varicose vein is destroyed by either laser or radiofrequency ablation. This technique is very effective and can be done under local or general anaesthesia.
Conventional Surgery
This takes many forms from stripping the varicose vein out, to hooking out small areas of vein. The anaesthesia offered/advised is dependent on the type of surgery being undertaken.
Outcomes
All of the above procedures are associated with very good outcomes. However, each patient is an individual and the treatment options need to be fully discussed.
For pros and cons, for example all 3 interventional procedures are associated with recurrence of the veins i.e. over sometime further varicose veins will develop in the leg following treatment.
