Treatment Options for Varicose Veins

There are a number of treatment options for varicose veins. Each has its benefits and risks. There is no one option that is best for all patients. During your consultation with your vascular surgeon, you will need to discuss which is best for you. An ultrasound (Duplex) scan is also performed routinely to assess your veins. Sometimes a trial of compression stockings for several months is used to see whether your symptoms are relieved prior proceeding with invasive procedures.

Treatment involves destroying the superficial veins and the blood is then carried back to heart by the deep system only. The superficial system is useful if it is working well, but if you have varicose veins then it is not working. There is enough reserve in your deep veins to take the blood back to the heart without the superficial veins. The superficial veins are also used for heart bypasses and other operations, but if you have varicose veins then they are usually too weak to use for bypasses in the future.

Currently there are five common options available for the management of varicose veins. Radio-Frequency Ablation (RFA) and Endo-Venous Laser Treatment (EVLT) are similar and vary only in the type of probe used, hence listed as one topic below.

They are many centres and site that offer treatment for varicose veins. In considering intervention is it essential to seek opinion from a vascular surgeon, they are surgically trained to deal with all aspects of arterial and venous surgery. It is also important obtain opinion from surgeons that provide a full range of services from non-surgical, minimally invasive to surgical options. This will ensure the best option for you is decided rather than what is on offer.