VARICOSE VEINS –  are enlarged twisted veins that often appear dark blue or purple in colour. They can occur when the valves in the veins that help to prevent blood from flowing backward become weakened or damaged allowing blood to pool in the veins. This can cause discomfort, swelling, and aching in the legs, as well as a feeling of heaviness or tiredness in the affected area. They can be unsightly at best, but are also associated with significant heavy, or dragging pain and swelling at the end of the day.  Risk factors for developing varicose veins include age, genetics, pregnancy, obesity, and a job or lifestyle that involves prolonged sitting or standing.

Diagnosis of varicose veins may involve a physical exam, ultrasound imaging, or other tests to assess blood flow in the affected veins. Treatment may include lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, weight management, and avoiding prolonged sitting or standing. Compression stockings can also be worn to help improve blood flow and reduce discomfort.  In some cases, procedures such as sclerotherapy, endovenous laser treatment, or vein stripping may be necessary to remove or close off the affected veins.

Varicose Veins affect a large proportion of the population. If  left untreated, the high pressure in the veins can lead to changes in the skin of eczema, discolouration and ultimately ulceration. There are a number of treatments available from Vascular Services for varicose veins, including laser and injection sclerotherapy, keyhole approaches that avoid an operation.

It is important to seek medical attention if you experience symptoms of varicose veins, as complications such as bleeding, ulceration, and blood clots can occur in severe cases.  Expert assessment is vital to tailor the correct therapy to the individual. Where necessary, conventional surgery is also offered when appropriate.

Treatments include:

• Varicose vein surgery
• Endovenous laser ablation
• Endogenous thermal ablation
• Clarivein techniques
• Ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy
• Coiling of ovarian veins and internal iliac veins for pelvic varicose veins

DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) –   often presents with acute leg or arm swelling and can occur spontaneously, after travel or associated with other medical conditions including malignancy. It requires expert management and can now be easily diagnosed with a non-invasive outpatient duplex scan. Where necessary, patients with extensive thrombosis can benefit from acute inpatient treatment with clot busting infusions to reduce the risk of long-term complications. DVTs in the leg sometime need stenting to avoid recurrence.

Treatments include:

• Thrombolysis
• Venous stenting
• Cervical or first rib resection
• Surgical debridement

Leg Ulcers – are increasingly common and a troublesome problem in the elderly. All such patients require a comprehensive vascular assessment to confirm the aetiology and best treatment options. Therapies include topical dressings, expert bandaging, and compression regimes through to operative treatment to debride and skin graft.

Treatments include:

• Surgical debridement
• Dressings
• Biopsy and analysis
• Skin grafting
• Comprehensive treatments for arterial and venous disease to avoid recurrence.

Thread Veins – can be associated with varicose veins. Vascular Services will give you a full check-up for thread veins as even without varicose veins they can become  a cosmetic issue. However, they can be easily treated in an outpatient setting with micro-sclerotherapy, or with the use of a skin laser once properly diagnosed.

Treatments include:

• Skin Laser Therapy
• Micro-sclerotherapy Injections

Venous insufficiency – is a condition in which the veins in the legs are unable to efficiently return blood to the heart.  This can result in blood pooling in the legs leading to swelling, pain, and other symptoms. This is often caused by damage or weakening of the valves in the veins, which normally help to prevent blood from flowing backward. This can be caused by factors such as aging, obesity, pregnancy, and prolonged standing or sitting. Symptoms of venous insufficiency can include swelling, aching, heaviness, and fatigue in the legs. Skin changes such as discoloration, thickening, or ulceration may also occur in severe cases. Diagnosis of venous insufficiency may involve a physical exam, ultrasound imaging, or other tests to assess blood flow in the affected veins.

It is important to seek medical attention if you experience symptoms of venous insufficiency, as complications such as bleeding, ulceration, and blood clots can occur in severe cases.

Treatments include:

• Regular exercise
• Weight management
• Avoiding prolonged standing or sitting
• Compression stockings can be worn to improve blood flow and reduce any discomfort
• Sclerotherapy
• Endovenous laser treatment
• procedure for vein stripping