Varicose veins or 'spider' veins are enlarged veins that look blue and bulging in the legs. The veins become twisted and swollen because of impaired blood flow through the veins through a faulty valve. The condition is rarely dangerous, but many feel conscious of them due to their unsightly appearance. Laser therapy may remove smaller varicosities while more severe cases can be treated with injections or the veins can be 'stripped out' with surgery.

Large, often bulging veins that usually have a zigzag pattern. Varicose veins are the result of reflux and abnormal flow of blood from the deep vein. This abnormal flow is the result of the incompetence of barriers, called valves, between the deep and superficial vein systems.

A laser that is applied from the surface of the skin can only penetrate a tiny distance before it loses its energy. External lasers can be used to eliminate small caliber "broken capillaries" on the surface such as those that commonly appear around the nose, but they rarely do as well on the legs. Even very small leg veins usually have larger feeder veins that must be injected before the smaller veins can be treated successfully.

There are three basic types of systems used for RF ablation procedures. The specific RFA system and guidance method are chosen based on location and size of the tumor to be treated, proximity of large vessels, bleeding risk, the pathway that the needle-electrode has to take to enter the tumor, and the importance of minimizing collateral damage. The systems differ based on the length and configuration of the active tip of the needle-electrode.

Your veins carry blood from the extremities to the heart. In your leg, this means the blood has to flow upward, against gravity. Consequently, these veins have one-way valves to prevent the blood from flowing backwards. Over time these valves can fail to close tightly, allowing blood to pool and causing the bulging and twisting characteristic of varicose veins.

No, unfortunately. If the vein is greater than 2cm in diameter, then the laser will not be effective. Also, if the vein is very tortuous or “winding”, then it may be impossible to insert the laser fiber far enough into the vein to be helpful. If the vein is located very close to the surface, ELT is not appropriate. In these cases, an alternative treatment will be recommended by the surgeon.

No. About 70 % of people with varicose veins are suitable for EVLT. You will need a consultation with Mr Chaloner or Mr Sweeney to decide if you are suitable.

Microsurgical procedures remove varicose veins permanently while sclerotherapy and laser treatments destroy the veins so they will not return once sclerosis is complete. However, no treatment can guarantee completely against any possibility that new veins may form. Some patients are at higher risk and some are at lower risk for developing future veins. Dr. Cunningham will be able to discuss your particular situation once he has had a chance to perform your initial examination.

Heredity is the number one contributing factor causing varicose and spider veins. Women are more likely to suffer from abnormal leg veins. More than 50% of American women may be affected. Hormonal factors including puberty, pregnancy, menopause, the use of birth control pills, estrogen, and progesterone affect the disease. It is very common for pregnant women to develop varicose veins. Pregnancy causes increases in hormone levels and blood volume which in turn cause veins to enlarge.

Answer: While you cannot entirely prevent varicose veins, there are quite a few ways to improve your vein health. Physical activity, such as walking, swimming or cycling, is a wonderful way to pump blood up the leg against gravity to improve circulation. Compression hose also helps improve circulation by preventing blood from pooling in the leg veins.

Answer: The actual cause of varicose veins is inefficient, faulty vein valves. These valves don't close properly, allowing blood to leak back with gravity and pool in the vein. This causes the veins to bulge and stretch and result in many unpleasant side effects such as aching and throbbing pain, heavy and tired legs, and poor circulation.

Answer: Heredity is a primary factor in over 80% of varicose vein cases. Other contributing factors may include pregnancy, obesity, hormone therapy, standing or sitting for long periods of time and injury.

At the beginning they are only of cosmetic concern, but later on they can cause clotting (phlebitis), bleeding, ulcers and severe skin changes (dermatitis).

Not at all. The chance of recurrence is quite high after stripping. I see a few hundred patients every year who have undergone 1-4 strippings in the past, and they have recurrence of varicose veins in the same leg. Obviously, these are not the old veins which were removed. The reason for the recurrence is that the leaks (incompetent valves) have not been controlled during surgery.