CONDITIONS
Varicose veins & spider veins
OVERVIEW
Varicose veins are blue or purple spidery veins that bulge and can be seen through the skin and are usually raised from the skin. Spider veins are fine blue lines seen flat on the surface of the skin. Varicose veins and spider veins are caused by weakening in the blood vessel wall and are commonly found on the legs. For many varicose veins can be concerning due to the way they look, but varicose veins are more than a cosmetic problem. If left untreated, varicose veins can become symptomatic and cause leg swelling, skin pigmentation and leg ulceration with risk of superficial vein thrombosis. A vascular surgeon will be able to treat varicose veins.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF VARICOSE VEINS OR SPIDER VEINS?
Some people have varicose veins and experience no symptoms, while others may notice symptoms such as:
- Aching legs that feel heavy, especially after standing for a long time
- Cramping, throbbing or bursting pain and discomfort in the legs
- Itching around the veins in the legs
- Skin discolouration around a varicose vein
- Skin discolouration around the ankles
- Hardening of the skin around the ankles
- Leg ulceration
WHAT DOES TREATMENT INVOLVE?
Accurate assessment of the extent of varicose veins and evaluation of the venous system. This requires a venous lower limb ultrasound to assess the superficial and deep veins of the leg. Treatment options are then discussed depending on the pattern and distribution of the varicose veins.
There is wide range of modern techniques for the treatment of varicose veins.
- Endovenous laser therapy
- Endovenous radiofrequency therapy
- Sclerotherapy which involves injecting the vein with a sclerosing agent
These modalities are all minimally invasive endovenous options performed as office-based procedures. They aim to ablate and destroy the culprit vein. They are performed with ultrasound guidance and mapping and are relatively painless procedures with excellent cosmetic results and are best performed by a vascular surgeon.
Occasionally, traditional open surgery may be required. This involves surgically removing the culprit vein by ligation and vein stripping. This is performed through a small incision in the groin under local or general anaesthetic. Open surgery also provides excellent long-term results.
