Varicose Vein Treatments - Minor Ops

What is Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins are enlarged veins that can be painful and may even cause swelling of the ankles. They typically form in the legs and are caused by malfunctioning vein valves, which don’t allow the blood to flow backwards.

As a result, superficial veins carrying high-pressure blood from the deeper system become affected. Varicose veins show as the typical 'blue road map' pattern of lumpy veins seen showing under the skin.

Typically, people with varicose veins can experience pain, aches, cramping, swelling, itching or skin marks, or a combination of these. Some factors that can worsen the condition include walking or standing for prolonged periods of time. Pregnancy and genetics can also cause varicose veins. Chronic high pressure in these veins can cause skin changes including thread veins and brown pigmentation (lipodermatosclerosis), and if left untreated, the condition may progress to severe skin changes and ulceration of the leg around the ankle.

Due to the inherent complexity of the many vascular disorders, there may be more than one way of managing a particular condition. For this reason, when planning a procedure, your consultant will discuss all the treatment options in a multidisciplinary team meeting, to ensure that all perspectives are considered before recommending a course of action to a patient.

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Before and after Varicose Veins

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Words from our clients:

"I was extremely satisfied with the care and treatment I received at the Cadogan Clinic. My surgeon was friendly and informative and explained the procedure fully. My procedure went very well and with the excellent care of the nursing staff, I made a speedy and full recovery. Would recommend to anyone."

Eva Berry

"At the beginning before the operation the nurse taking care of me made me feel so comfortable. The surgeon and anesthetist helped me feel so calm. Fantastic before and after treatment"

Scarlett Elliott

"The girls on the reception at the clinic were very pleasant and professional. The nurse who took out my stitches after my surgery was just lovely and took me through step by step what she was doing and she also recommended a great cream to use to help with healing."

Georgina Nolan

“I was treated with care and provided with thorough knowledge about the procedure I was undertaking. My surgeon was very methodical (a perfectionist) and I felt I received A class treatment."

Courtney O'Sullivan

"Outstanding experience from the first appointment to being discharged. Very professional, friendly and a fantastic outcome."

Gemma Stevenson

"Reception staff very welcoming and efficient. Both nurses who I dealt with were fantastic, and the whole team (anaesthetist, surgeon etc) were friendly but professional, and really put my mind at ease. That I was able to stay later than I perhaps needed after my surgery to fit in with my husbands schedule was greatly appreciated."

Emma Davies

What are the options?

Clari vein

A revolutionary procedure which treats the cause of varicose veins more quickly and simply, requiring one injection as opposed to the multiple requires by traditional procedures.

Endovenous laser therapy (evlt)

A new method of treating varicose veins without surgery. Instead of tying and removing the abnormal veins they are heated by a laser. The heat kills the walls of the veins and the body then naturally absorbs the dead tissue.

Foam and micro-injection of varicose and flare veins (sclerotherapy)

A medical procedure whereby a chemical is injected into a vein to entirely obliterate it. This chemical damages the innermost lining of the vessel, resulting in a clot that blocks the blood circulation in the vein beyond.

Vnus closure-fast (radiofrequency ablation)

Minimally invasive treatment for superficial venous reflux. A thin catheter is inserted into the vein through a small opening. The catheter delivers thermal energy to the vein wall, causing it to heat, collapse, and seal shut.

Lifestyle advice to improve vascular health

We know that there are risk factors that speed up the process of vascular disease and make some people more likely to develop this condition. Changing certain lifestyle factors such as stopping smoking, losing weight and lowering your cholesterol can all help.

Varicose Veins Surgeons

We have invited a selection of the country's very best consultants to join us at the Cadogan Clinic so that you can be sure that whatever the nature of your treatment, you will be seeing one of the top practitioners in the country.

Our Surgeons

Mr. Ian Franklin

Vascular Surgeon

Miss. Sarah Franks

Vascular Surgeon

Frequently Asked Questions

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What are the causes of varicose veins?

Varicose veins are enlarged veins that are visible under the skin. At their worst, they look like bunches of grapes lying beneath the skin and at their least severe they can take the form of thread veins (also known as spider veins), which are smaller and do not protrude from the skin. Any superficial vein can become varicose or develop into a thread vein if the blood does not flow through the venous system quickly enough, and the thin walls surrounding the veins stretch. The legs and feet are most commonly affected.

How do varicose veins develop?

In a normal vein, blood flows in one direction only- towards the heart. There are valves within the inner wall of most veins, which prevent blood flowing backwards by opening to allow the blood through and then closing to keep it from back draining. A vein becomes “varicose” when these valves fail to work properly. Blood pools within the vein, and the increased pressure causes the vein to bulge and lengthen, resulting in a varicose vein.

Factors which make you more likely to develop varicose veins:

Gender: It is thought that female hormones make the walls of veins more likely to stretch.
Pregnancy: The higher levels of female hormones and the pressure exerted by the uterus on the main veins in the body make a pregnant woman more likely to develop varicose veins. However, 40% of these women find that their varicose veins disappear within 3 months of giving birth.
Genetics: Your risk of developing varicose veins is greater if a close family member has them.
Obesity: Excess weight exerts pressure on the venous system, increasing the chances that varicose veins will develop. Lack of mobility and high blood pressure which are caused by obesity will also make the symptoms of varicose veins worse.
Age: All the tissues in out body loose elasticity as we get older, including the walls of veins. This makes them more likely to stretch and become varicose.

What are the treatments for varicose veins?

At their worst, varicose veins can result in toxins leaking onto the tissues of the ankle and calf, ultimately causing ulceration of the skin. There are therefore compelling clinical reasons to operate on a significant number of people with this problem. There are also many people who are not at risk of developing ulceration, but who dislike the unsightly varicose or thread veins. No one wants to feel ashamed of their legs, especially if it limits what you feel comfortable wearing or where you feel comfortable going.

There are multiple treatments for varicose veins, and the best choice of treatment for each individual takes into account the pattern of disease, the aims of treatment, the size of the veins affected and the symptoms they are causing.

Some treatment options for varicose veins include:

Radiofrequency ablation: A probe is threaded into the vein which is the source of the varicosities below. The probe delivers microwave energy to the lining of the vein to heat it up which causes it to close.
Endovenous laser treatment: This technique is very similar to radiofrequency ablation, although laser is used to close the vein instead of microwaves.
Sclerotherapy: A chemical is injected directly into the visible varicose veins, which causes them to close. This treatment option may take several sessions and is suitable for smaller veins only.
Phlebectomies: Sometimes surgical removal of the visible varicose veins is the best option. This is done through tiny incisions made with a needle.
Ligation and stripping: In some cases, traditional surgery may be the best option. Small incisions are made at the top and bottom of the target vein which is then removed.

Please see one of our vascular surgeons to discuss which of these treatments may be right for you.

What are the symptoms of varicose veins?

Some symptoms associated with varicose and thread veins can include:

Heavy or aching legs: an unusual feeling of weight in the legs is an indication that something is not normal; heavy legs can be accompanied by soreness, tenderness to the touch, and swelling
Cramping: an abnormal cramping and/or throbbing in your legs can be a sign that the blood is pooling in the veins and not circulating around your legs as it should
Itchy and/or Flaky Skin: this symptom can sometimes be mistaken for dry skin, but if you are experiencing chronic itchiness and flaky skin on your lower leg it may be because of varicose veins
Swollen Ankles: If you are suffering from varicose veins you may experience swelling in your ankles due to the effects of static blood in your legs.

For most people, varicose veins are usually an aesthetic problem as well as a medical one. Consult your doctor if you need help and advice for varicose veins, or if you have concerns about the impact of varicose veins on your health.

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Founded in 2004 by world renowned plastic surgeon Mr Bryan Mayou, we now work with over 100 leading consultants and successfully treat over 20,000 patients each year. We have been winning industry awards since inception.

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We were founded in 2004 by world renown plastic surgeon Mr Bryan Mayou, best known for his pioneering work in the area of liposuction, lasers and microvascular surgery. We continue to collaborate with pioneers in our field.

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Varicose Veins

What is Varicose Veins?

Before and after Varicose Veins

What are the options?

Varicose Veins Surgeons

Frequently Asked Questions

A state of the art, award winning clinic.

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