Varicose Vein Treatment Melbourne

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WHAT EXACTLY ARE VARICOSE VEINS AND SPIDER VEINS?

Varicose veins are most commonly found on the legs and are usually knobbly, twisted and dark blue in colour.

They are caused by faulty valves or walls of the veins, which allow blood to pool within the veins.

Spider veins are similar to varicose veins but may be red or blue in colour and can appear to look like spider webs closer to the surface of the skin. 

Teenagers and young adults normally don’t experience varicose veins and spider veins, but they can develop for some people as early as their 20s, 30s or 40s.

For most people, varicose veins and spider veins are not dangerous and are, instead just unsightly in appearance.

However, in some cases, they can cause serious health problems such as swelling, bleeding, blood clots, pain and even skin cancers if left untreated.  

WHY DO PEOPLE GET VARICOSE VEINS?

We know that varicose veins can be inherited, but they have also been linked to other secondary factors. 

Women are more likely than men to experience varicose veins and spider veins, so hormonal changes and pregnancy may play a role for some people. 

A lack of exercise, smoking, obesity and older age are other factors which may increase the risk of someone developing varicose veins, along with prior cases of deep vein thrombosis.

CAN YOU AVOID GETTING VARICOSE VEINS?

Given genetics play a significant role, it is not possible to prevent someone from developing varicose veins. 

While lifestyle factors can contribute to their development, they are not the primary cause. 

Regular exercise, such as walking or running, is important for improving blood flow in the legs and preventing varicose veins from worsening. 

Exercise can also help reduce swelling and discomfort that is associated with varicose veins.

However, exercise alone will not completely eliminate your varicose veins.

Elevating your legs is another way to achieve temporary relief but, again, is not a long-term solution to ridding yourself of varicose veins. 

TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR VARICOSE VEINS

A lot of people believe that surgery is the only way to fix their varicose veins, but this is only one option that is available. 

At Laser Vein Co, we will assess your individual situation and recommend the best option for treatment during your initial consultation – along with answering any questions you might have.

For very large and complicated varicose veins, surgery is still the quickest and most comfortable treatment method. Only your surgeon can offer this procedure.

However, for less complex and modest problems, sclerotherapy (injection treatment) or laser ablation are more attractive alternatives, given they do not involve significant hospital time or can be done out of the hospital.

Here is a quick run-down of the treatment options available:

Elastic Stockings

While elastic stockings do not prevent varicose veins or make them go away, they can be helpful to alleviate symptoms. 

They work by providing external compression support to the limb but can be unpleasant to wear due to the tightness and added warmth.

They are most beneficial when used to treat complications like ulcers when an acceptance of discomfort is necessary. 

Injection Treatment (Sclerotherapy)

While commonly referred to as an injection treatment, the more technical name for this is a sclerotherapy procedure. 

This treatment works well for minor superficial varicose veins, spider veins and discoloured areas.

A sclerosant solution is injected into the unwanted veins, causing them to go solid and be absorbed by the body.

Injection treatment does not require hospitalisation and you should only need a few hours off work following your treatment. 

Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy

Ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy is an advanced form of standard sclerotherapy (injection treatment). 

This treatment aims to eliminate defective veins inside the leg that are flowing in the wrong direction, with the ultrasound machine assisting the surgeon to find defective veins underneath the skin to inject.

Combined with laser treatment, this is the most effective alternative to surgery and provides long-lasting results. 

Clip and/or Glue Occlusion

Also referred to as “coil occlusion” or “coil embolisation”, this treatment was developed as an alternative to abdominal surgery and is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat leaking ovarian veins causing pelvic congestion.

It involves inserting coils into the ovarian vein to block it and using sclerotherapy to occlude pelvic varices. 

This technique has been used successfully for over 15 years to treat various vascular conditions, including varicose veins and valve leakages in the legs.

It is performed in combination with ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy.

Laser Ablation

This minimally invasive procedure can be used to treat larger varicose veins.
A laser is used to destroy defective veins, offering a permanent solution that is comparable to surgery but has a much shorter recovery time. 

This technology has become increasingly safe and effective in recent years, with newer laser devices providing a more comfortable experience. 

This treatment is performed in combination with ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy.

Large outcome studies now rate this option for large varicose veins as being superior to surgery and sclerotherapy.

Surgery

Surgical treatment for varicose veins involves ligating faulty valves and removing or obliterating varicose veins. 

This procedure—known as “ligation, puncture, and extraction”—is performed with minimal incisions and involves using ultrasound to identify valve failures.

Surgery is generally a good long-term solution and recurrences of varicose veins are often manageable by sclerotherapy.

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