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What are varicose veins?

The role of veins is to carry blood back to the heart via a one-way valve.  Varicose veins are usually caused by a weakness of the vein wall, in veins near the surface of the skin, which allows the valves to stretch so that they do not close properly causing blood to leak back down the vein.   The veins then become enlarge and can be seen on the surface as varicose veins.

What are the symptoms of varicose veins?

Early symptoms include discomfort, aching, heaviness, fatigue, burning, throbbing and cramps.  If left untreated, irritation of the skin around the ankles with swelling of the feet (worse at the end of the day) itching, pain, clotting, leg ulcers and skin damage may occur and will often worsen over time.

What are the treatment options?

Staying fit may help reduce the onset of varicose veins but unfortunately once damaged valves cannot be mended.  However, a number of treatments are available at Highgate Hospital via fully qualified Consultant Vascular Surgeons:

• Living with your veins - if your veins are not painful, you may wish to avoid or delay surgery or treatment.
• Non-operative treatment - a common treatment is the use of specially designed stockings.  Your consultant will be able to give you advice on which type are the most appropriate for you.
• Surgery - a common procedure to remove all the varicose veins, leaving only the normal vessels, and usually carried out by using minimally-invasive techniques.  The removal of varicose veins does not affect blood flow because other veins, especially the deep veins, will take over this job.
• Injection sclerotherapy - used mainly in small varicose veins or spider/thread veins with no major valve problems.  Treatment involves an injection of fluid, through a very fine needle, which sticks the walls of the broken vein together. 
• Laser treatment (EVLT® or ELVeS® - suitable for some patient groups, this procedure is a quick, often walk-in/walk-out procedure with no general anaesthetic required.