Varicose Veins Treatment
Varicose Veins treatment programs are tailored to each individual and will depend on various factors. If your varicose veins don’t cause you any discomfort, you may decide not to have any treatment.Patients may receive a combination of treatments, and most patients participate in some self-care therapies as well.The most common treatment options are listed below.
Sclerotherapy/Microsclerotherapy
This process may be used to close small- and medium-sized varicose veins. The doctor injects the veins with a solution that causes a scar to form in the vein, which forces the vein to close and the blood to reroute through healthier veins. The procedure does not require anesthesia and can be done in the doctor’s office.
Microsclerotherapy is a new and improved type of sclerotherapy that uses improved solutions and injection techniques that increase the success rate for removal of spider veins.
Non-surgical treatments
Compression stockings
Compression stockings may relieve the swelling and aching of your legs but they won’t prevent more varicose veins from developing. Compression stockings can help the blood in your veins to flow up towards your heart, and some people won’t need any other treatment.
Surgery
Varicose vein surgery
This involves removing any superficial veins which have become varicose veins. There are many types of operation you can have, depending on which veins need treatment. The most common is called ligation and stripping.
The operation is usually done as a day case under general anaesthesia. This means you will be asleep during the procedure.
Although many people won’t need any further treatment after surgery, around three in 10 will develop more varicose veins within the next 10 years.
Sclerotherapy (liquid or foam)
This involves injecting a chemical into your varicose veins which damages the veins, causing them to close. Liquid sclerotherapy is often used to treat smaller varicose veins. For larger veins, foam sclerotherapy is sometimes used.
The operation is usually done as a day case under local anaesthesia. This completely blocks feeling from the treatment area and you will stay awake during the operation.
You will be given compression stockings to wear after your treatment. Your doctor will advise you on how long you will need to wear them for.
Studies have shown that this treatment is effective at treating varicose veins in the short-term. However, the long-term benefits of this treatment aren’t yet known.
A US study showed that in some people, foam bubbles escaped from the leg veins and reached the heart. Sometimes the bubbles crossed into the oxygen-carrying blood that is pumped round the body, including to the brain. It’s important to discuss the safety of ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy with your doctor.
Endovenous laser treatment
This uses a fine laser which is passed inside your varicose vein. The laser heats the inside of your vein causing damage to the vein wall. This causes the vein to close.
The operation is usually done as a day case under general anaesthesia. This means you will be asleep during the procedure.
Radiofrequency ablation
This involves using a high frequency electrical current to heat the wall of your varicose vein. This damages the vein causing it to close.
The operation is usually done as a day case under general anaesthesia. This means you will be asleep during the procedure.
Other approaches
You may be offered other less common treatments at some hospitals including the following.
Phlebectomy uses hooks to pull out your varicose veins through small cuts in your leg.
Transilluminated powered phlebectomy (TIPP) removes your varicose vein by suction.
External laser therapy can be used to remove small varicose veins. A laser is used to damage your varicose vein causing it to close.
Saphenous valvuloplasty is rarely used. It involves placing a patch of material around your varicose vein.
Your surgeon will explain your options to you and help you decide which treatment is best for you.
Self-help
You should try to lose any excess weight and take regular walks.
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