TREATMENT
For Varicose veins
Before you can get rid of the veins you can see, the damaged deeper veins, causing the high pressure in the veins under the skin, need to be treated. Unless this high pressure is dealt with, veins will continue to appear. We offer the four treatments which are internationally available to treat these deeper veins, allowing us to permanently eradicate the veins which you can see. Our staff will discuss with you which of the following is most suited to your needs. Contact us.
Conservative Treatment
Keep your legs up whenever possible and use compression stockings. However, conservative treatments often have poor patient compliance because they are difficult for patients to integrate into daily routine, are uncomfortable, require lengthy treatment and do not cure the underlying problem.
Interventional Treatments:
Surgery
This tried and tested method has been used for over 100 years. The veins are removed by tying them off and then pulling them out (stripping) and allowing the veins under the skin to be removed at the same time (avulsions). It has a reputation for being painful, but by using large amounts of local anaesthetic during the operation, the pain is reduced considerably. Because you need to have cuts in the skin it is done while you are asleep (general anaesthetic) in theatre. You will usually require a week off work. Support bandages/stockings will need to be worn for up to two weeks.
Radio frequency (VNUS)
This treatment has been used for over eight years. Vnus uses an electrical probe to destroy the deeper veins. The probe is inserted via a tiny puncture in the skin around the knee; it is then passed up to the groin under ultrasound control. An electrical current is then used to seal off the vein. With the deeper veins treated the visible veins under the skin are dissolved using foam. Because of the keyhole approach this can be performed under a local or general anaesthetic. You can return to work the next day. You will need to wear support bandages/stockings for up to two weeks.
Broadband users can download an animation showing this procedure. Unfortunately, this is only available for Internet Explorer users at the present time.
Laser
This treatment has been used for six years and uses a laser fibre to destroy the deeper veins. Again the probe is placed through a tiny puncture in the skin around the knee and passed up to the groin under ultrasound control. The heat of the laser fibre at the tip of the probe seals off the deeper veins. With the deeper veins treated the visible veins under the skin are dissolved with foam. Local or general anaesthetic can be used. You can return to work the next day. You will need to wear support bandages/stockings for up to two weeks. One week later an ultrasound will be performed to ensure complete closure of the vein.
Foam
This procedure for the deep veins was developed in Spain and brought to England six years ago. A tiny puncture is made in the skin at the knee and the foam is injected into the deeper veins. Ultrasound is used to ensure the foam stays in the vein requiring treatment. The foam irritates the vein causing it to seal itself off. The foam often passes into the visible veins under the skin dissolving them, but separate injections may be required to deal with these. The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic meaning you can return to work the next day. You will need to wear support bandages/stockings for up to two weeks.
For Thread Veins:
Since only the veins you can see need to be treated, this is done as an outpatient procedure. the veins are dissolved with either foam* or laser. The treatment takes under 30 minutes and is not usually painful. You will be able to drive yourself home shortly after the procedure. The ache due to your veins will go as they dissolve. Bruising due to the injections may take longer to clear.
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