Varicose veins or superficial venous insufficiency is a mechanical problem where the valves inside the veins have stopped closing properly. This makes the blood, instead of moving upwards to the heart, flow downwards in the wrong direction, that is called “reflux”. This is a genetic disorder.

They can lead to serious medical complications. e.g.

• Venous thrombosis (clots in the veins): this can be fatal and the varicose veins treatment is considered an emergency. These clots can move with the blood stream and can cause strokes and pulmonary embolisms (clots in lungs).
• Venous ulcers: sometimes referred to as stasis ulcers or varicose ulcers, are the result of malfunctioning venous valves causing mechanical and chemical trauma on the tissues mainly in the lower calf . These typically occur along the lower leg and are simply a nightmare for sufferers as they can severely affect the quality of theirs and their families lives.

We follow industry best practice. The first step in treating them is to carry out a correct and thorough Doppler-Ultrasound scan for both legs to find out all the veins that are causing the root problem. Using the results from the scan, we tailor the best treatment for each patient. Using this approach, we can achieve a recurrence rate of 3% or less.

Treatment procedures are minimally invasive, under local anaesthesia and with incisions of less than 2mm. These factors allow patients to resume normal daily activity straight after the procedure and minimise risks – for example the risk of Pulmonary embolism is 1:10.000. In fact, patients should be more worried about not treating them as the risks are far higher and more dangerous than the treatment itself.

The treatment is carried out under local anaesthesia, so the patient will feel the needle and the anaesthetic being injected. After that the patient will just feel that there is activity but no pain. So the treatment is not painless, but it is way less painful than any other way of treating varicose veins. After the procedure approximately one out of ten patients will need a single dose of Paracetamol. The patient can return to normal immediately after the procedure and be able to carry on with their normal daily activities and work.

As previously mentioned (question 3), the treatment plan is tailored for each patient based on the individual findings of the Doppler-Ultrasound scan. As a result, the costs vary based on the treatment needed for each patient.

The procedure usually lasts about 1-1.5 hours. I always ask my patients to learn some jokes and anecdotes to share during the procedure. We talk, listen to music, tell jokes and amusing stories during the treatment to make it as much fun as possible. After that the patient leaves to go home, work, shopping, etc. and continue their daily activities.

The recovery time after varicose veins is ZERO. The patients are asked to walk immediately after the procedure (even in the worst cases). The patients are asked to walk normally and to carry on with their normal daily activities.

Ignoring varicose veins might have severe impact on the quality of life for the patients and their families. In some situations when the condition is complicated with venous ulcers, pain can be severe with reduced ability to walk and work, and an unpleasant odour. This can impact both the sufferer and their families’ lives. Also, if clots form in the veins (Thrombophlebitis), the risk of strokes and Pulmonary Embolisms (clots in lungs) is very high and can be fatal.

The treatment for varicose veins requires local anaesthesia. After the procedure the patient is immediately active and can carry on with his normal daily activities. There is no need for  general anaesthesia as having a general anaesthetic increases risks from anaesthesia e.g. the risk of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms is 1:72 after general anaesthesia, compared to 1:1000 and 1:10,000 respectively after local anaesthesia.

Varicose veins or venous insufficiency is a mechanical illness of the veins that makes the blood flow in the wrong direction in the affected veins and pool there. If untreated, that will lead to complications like venous ulcers and Thrombophlebitis (clots). So, they are a serious medical condition that should be treated properly. Spider veins are cosmetic, and they do not lead to complications if left untreated. However, a very important fact should be borne in mind – a third to a half of patients with spider veins have an underlying varicose veins condition that should be treated before carrying out any cosmetic treatment for spider veins.