Varicose and Spider Veins Fact Sheet

Varicose and Spider Veins

Varicose veins are usually found on the legs, and are abnormally enlarged or tortuous veins which bulge beneath the skin. They can be flesh coloured or dark purple or blue, and are mostly found to be more common with age. Around one in five people develop varicose veins and women are more often affected than men – there is a genetic component to your risk of developing varicose veins, as well as age, being overweight and/or standing fro long periods of time. Hormonal medication and pregnancy exacerbate the condition of varicose veins.

Spider veins are similar to varicose veins, but are smaller and often appear as red or blue. They appear much closer to the skin and can look like tree branches or spider’s legs. They can be found both on the legs and on the face, and can cover a small or large area of skin.

The Objective

The role of veins is to carry blood back from the extremities to the heart. To do this from the legs the blood must flow against gravity, and there is a system of one-way valves and muscle contractions which help this process. If the valves become weak or stop functioning, the blood will flow back into the legs instead of up to the heart. Once this continues, the veins become diluted and tortuous and varicose veins result.

Once damaged, the valves and veins cannot be repaired and are best removed. There is no problem with blood flow associated in removing the affected veins – other veins and especially deep veins take up the task of getting the blood back up to the heart. Varicose and spider veins tend not to get better with time, so treatment is the best solution and the earlier the treatment the better the medical and cosmetic results tend to be.

Treatment of varicose and spider veins should reduce the risk of developing stasis ulcers, provide relief from the discomfort and heaviness often associated with the condition and improve overall circulation. There is also a likely improvement in body image and the latest laser treatments offer a minimally-invasive treatment option that takes less than an hour.

The Procedures

The latest treatment for varicose veins is called Endovenous Laser Treatment or EVLT. This is a minimally-invasive procedure which involves having a laser fibre inserting into the skin to treat specific veins. The procedure is normally performed in a practitioner’s office or clinic and can take as little as 30 minutes to complete.

The laser fibre is inserted directly into the skin and the affected vein. The laser is identified as being in the correct position with ultrasound and is then heated with a low energy. This damages the vein walls and causes them to shrink, then collapse and eventually close up completely, at which point it should disappear.

EVLT leaves no scars, and results in less bruising and swelling than other procedures, allowing the patient to return to normal activities more quickly. A compression bandage is usually employed to help with swelling and bruising and should be used for around a week.

EVLT is generally used to treat the larger varicose veins found in the legs. Should a patient be seen as unsuitable for EVLT, there are a number of other treatments on offer. Sclerotherapy is similar to EVLT but uses the injection of a chemical into the varicose vein in order to cause it to collapse and close. Sclerotherapy can be used to treat smaller varicose veins and spider veins. Like EVLT, the procedure is performed under local anesthesia and can take a little as 30 minutes.

Phlebectomy is the method of removing varicose or spider veins directly from the skin using tiny punctures or incisions through the skin. The affected veins are then removed through the incisions, which are so small that stitches are not required.

The Outcomes

Treatment for varicose veins is seen as a routine procedure which has minimal risks involved. There is no need for a general anesthetic and most patients are able to walk again immediately. The removal of the affected veins offers an improvement in body images as well as a reduced risk from stasis ulcers.

EVLT has a reported success rate of 98 per cent and a recurrence rate of just seven per cent after two years.

The Risks

Some patients may experience a mild numbness around the thigh area and a pulling sensation in the leg which could last up to a week, while some patients will see a mild case of phlebitis, or redness and soreness, on the skin. There is a minimal risk of deep vein thrombosis from this type of treatment, which is easily combated by using a compression bandage for the recovery period and walking again right after the treatment.

Bruising and some degree of swelling are common after EVLT, but usually last no more than a week.

The Costs

Costs for varicose and spider vein treatment will depend on how serious the condition is in each individual patient. However, estimates for treatment in both legs range from £2,000 to £3,000 including all private treatment fees. The cost for an individual patient should be established following a specific consultation with a vascular specialist.

The Availability

EVLT, Sclerotherapy, Phlebectomy are all widely available and considered to be routine treatments.