Should i remove varicose veins

The operation is particularly suitable for people with:. The aims of surgery are to reduce to normal the pressure in the skin veins.

This will prevent existing varicose veins from enlarging further, and will prevent new varicose veins from growing. For those with skin changes around the ankles or previous ulceration, reducing the pressure prevents worsening of the skin change and usually reduces the risk of further ulceration.

For this group, the addition of support stockings further protects the skin around the ankles. Before the treatment Before varicose vein surgery, there are a number of tests that need to be done. These are of two types: those to assess whether you qualify for varicose vein surgery, and some immediate pre-operative tests. Tests to see whether you qualify for the operation have already been done. These will always include examination with a handheld Doppler, and may include an ultrasound scan.

Immediate pre-operative tests include: blood tests and ECG for some, and completing the paperwork. These immediate pre-operative tests are usually completed at a pre-admission visit to the hospital a short time before your operation.

Coming into hospital Varicose vein surgery is often performed as a Day Case. If you are fit, have a family member to take you home, and be with you over night, you will probably qualify. Those having more complex surgery and those who live alone will stay in hospital over night. You should bring with you all the medications that you are currently taking. You will be admitted to your bed by one of the nurses who will also complete your nursing record. The surgeon who will be performing your operation will visit you immediately before the procedure.

He will mark up your veins with a waterproof pen, agreeing with you which veins will be removed. You should ensure that all your varicose veins are marked. The doctor who will give you the anaesthetic will also visit you, and explain the anaesthetic to you. The treatment Varicose vein surgery is performed under general anaesthetic. A tiny needle is placed in the back of your hand. The anaesthetic is injected through the needle and you will be asleep within a few seconds.

While you are asleep, local anaesthetic will be used around the groin incision and the incision on the back of the knee when used.

When you wake up the incisions should be numb. Sometimes a drip is placed into a vein in your arm wrist usually to give you some fluids during and following surgery. The operation The operation varies a little from case to case, depending on where the leaky valves are.

Normally you will have a slanting cut about cm long running in the skin crease of the groin. You can wear compression stockings , prop up your leg or legs on a pillow or a chair when you can, get some exercise, and lose weight if needed. If these steps don't help your symptoms, you may want to have surgery or a procedure. Having surgery or a procedure is a better choice if you care a lot about how your legs look.

Home treatment won't change the look of varicose veins. Surgery and other procedures also can reduce pain and other symptoms. Surgery can leave tiny scars on your legs. The size of your varicose veins affects the type of treatment you might have. If you have larger veins, you are likely to have surgery ligation and stripping or less invasive procedures such as radiofrequency closure or endovenous laser treatment.

Small to medium-sized varicose veins usually are treated with sclerotherapy, external laser treatment, or a minor surgery called microphlebectomy. Procedures that are used to close varicose veins and keep them from coming back seem to work about the same. These procedures include laser treatment, radiofrequency closure, sclerotherapy, and surgery. Before you have any procedure, check your insurance to see if it covers the cost.

Some policies do not cover procedures that are viewed as only being done for personal, not medical, reasons.

What are varicose veins? They can make your legs ache, hurt, itch, and swell. Even if you don't have symptoms, you may not like the way the veins make your legs look. How are varicose veins treated? You can treat varicose veins with home care, surgery, or another procedure. Home treatment For many people, home treatment relieves pain and other symptoms.

You can: Wear compression stockings. Prop up your legs on a pillow or a chair when you can. Exercise to improve blood flow in your legs. Lose weight if needed. Being overweight can make varicose veins worse. Procedures for varicose veins These less invasive procedures close or remove the varicose veins.

Laser treatment. A laser is a highly focused beam of light. Heat from the laser damages the vein and causes scar tissue, which closes the vein. Lasers may be used: On the outside of the skin external laser to close off small veins near the surface. Inside a vein endovenous laser to close large veins. The doctor places a thin tube called a catheter into the vein through a small cut in the skin. Radiofrequency closure.

This procedure uses a type of energy that is different from that of a laser to close off large varicose veins in the legs. A small cut is made in the vein. The energy is directed through a thin tube placed in the cut. A chemical is injected into the varicose vein to damage and scar the inside of the vein.

This closes the vein. Surgery for varicose veins Vein ligation and stripping is a surgical treatment for varicose veins.

How well do procedures work for varicose veins? Improve the look of the skin. Improve quality of life. What are the risks of procedures for varicose veins? You may have small scars. Your skin may be numb where the thin tube is put in for radiofrequency closure or endovenous laser treatment. You could have bleeding sores. You could have an allergic reaction to the liquid that is put into the vein during sclerotherapy.

This is rare. The color of your skin could change and stay that way, or tiny new blood vessels could form in the area that was treated.

These problems are rare. Vein ligation and stripping also has some risks: You could bleed a lot. You could get an infection. You might have numbness in your legs. You could have small scars where the vein was removed. You could have problems from anesthesia. Why might your doctor recommend a procedure for varicose veins?

Your doctor might suggest surgery or a procedure if: You have tried compression stockings and other home care and you still have pain and swelling. You want to treat varicose veins so that your legs will look better. Compare your options. You may have small scars.

Your skin may be numb where the thin tube is put in for radiofrequency closure or endovenous laser treatment. You could have bleeding sores. You could have an allergic reaction to the liquid that is put into the vein during sclerotherapy. This is rare. The colour of your skin could change and stay that way, or tiny new blood vessels could form in the area that was treated. These problems are rare. Vein ligation and stripping also has some risks: You could bleed a lot.

You could get an infection. You might have numbness in your legs. You could have small scars where the vein was removed. You could have problems from anesthesia. Why might your doctor recommend a procedure for varicose veins? Your doctor might suggest surgery or a procedure if: You have tried compression stockings and other home care and you still have pain and swelling.

You want to treat varicose veins so that your legs will look better. Compare your options. Compare Option 1 Have a procedure for varicose veins Use home treatment. Compare Option 2 Have a procedure for varicose veins Use home treatment. Have a procedure for varicose veins Have a procedure for varicose veins You may be asleep or awake, depending on the procedure.

You can go home the same day. You may have to wear compression stockings for a week or more after treatment. Your symptoms are likely to get better or go away.

You may be happier with the way your legs look. Your varicose veins may come back. Your pain or other symptoms may come back. Side effects may include: Burning. Small scars. A lasting change in skin colour in the area that was treated. Use home treatment Use home treatment You wear compression stockings. You prop up your legs on a chair or a pillow to keep blood from pooling. You do more exercise to improve the blood flow in your legs. You can lose weight, if needed, to improve symptoms.

Your symptoms may get better or go away. You don't have pain or other side effects from surgery. Your symptoms might not get better. Home care won't change how your varicose veins look. Compression stockings can be hard to put on and take off. Wearing them can be hot and uncomfortable. Personal stories about varicose veins These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers.

What matters most to you? Reasons to have a procedure for varicose veins Reasons to try home care for varicose veins. I'm not bothered by how my legs look. Home care is helping my symptoms. My other important reasons: My other important reasons:. Where are you leaning now?

Having a procedure NOT having a procedure. What else do you need to make your decision? Check the facts. True That's right. For many people, home treatment works well to relieve pain and other symptoms.

False Sorry, that's not right. I'm not sure It may help to go back and read "Get the Facts. True Sorry, that's not right. False You're right. I'm not sure It may help to go back and read "Key points to remember.

True You're right. The size of your varicose veins affects the type of procedure. If you have large veins, you may be more likely to have surgery, endovenous laser treatment, or radiofrequency closure.

The affected veins are cut before being removed through the incisions using a suction device. Transilluminated powered phlebectomy can either be carried out under general anaesthetic or local anaesthetic.

You may experience some bruising or bleeding afterwards. Another new procedure is called cyanoacrylate glue occlusion. This involves injecting a special type of glue into affected veins. The glue seals the veins shut, stopping them filling with blood and improving symptoms. Evidence suggests that this procedure is both safe and effective.

But there are currently not many doctors trained to carry it out, so access to it on the NHS is limited in most areas. Page last reviewed: 07 May Next review due: 07 May Treatment of varicose veins is usually only necessary to: ease symptoms — if your varicose veins are causing you pain or discomfort treat complications — such as leg ulcers , swelling or skin discolouration Some people also get treatment for cosmetic reasons — but this kind of treatment is rarely available on the NHS, so you'll usually have to pay for it to be done privately If treatment is necessary, your doctor may first recommend self care at home.

This may involve: using compression stockings your blood circulation will first be checked to see if these are suitable for you exercising regularly avoiding standing up for long periods elevating the affected area when resting Compression stockings Compression stockings are not suitable for everyone. They are also available in: different colours different lengths — some come up to your knee, while others also cover your thigh different foot styles — some cover your whole foot, and some stop before your toes Compression tights are also available, but not on the NHS.

Wearing compression stockings You usually need to put your compression stockings on as soon as you get up in the morning and take them off when you go to bed. Caring for compression stockings Compression stockings usually have to be replaced every 3 to 6 months. Compression stockings should be hand washed in warm water and dried away from direct heat.

Further treatment If your varicose veins need further treatment or they're causing complications, the type of treatment will depend on your general health and the size, position and severity of your veins. Endothermal ablation One of the first treatments offered will usually be endothermal ablation. Radiofrequency ablation Radiofrequency ablation involves heating the wall of your varicose vein using radiofrequency energy.

The vein is accessed through a small cut made just above or below the knee. Endovenous laser treatment As with radiofrequency ablation, endovenous laser treatment involves having a catheter inserted into your vein and using an ultrasound scan to guide it into the correct position.

A tiny laser is passed through the catheter and positioned at the top of your varicose vein. Endovenous laser treatment is carried out under either local or general anaesthetic. Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy If endothermal ablation treatment is unsuitable for you, you'll usually be offered a treatment called sclerotherapy instead.

Sclerotherapy can also cause side effects, including: blood clots in other leg veins headaches changes to skin colour — for example, brown patches over the treated areas fainting temporary vision problems You should be able to walk and return to work immediately after having sclerotherapy. Surgery If endothermal ablation treatments and sclerotherapy are unsuitable for you, you'll usually be offered a surgical procedure called ligation and stripping to remove the affected veins.

If you're referred for surgery, you may want to ask your surgeon some questions, such as: who will do my operation? Ligation and stripping A technique called ligation and stripping involves tying off the vein in the affected leg and then removing it.