Varicose Veins in leg and foot

Varicose Vein Treatments

The information below does not replace a full consultation, we are very happy to see you for a free initial assessment.

Our varicose veins treatments use non-surgical methods. Safe and effective, proven methods.

These procedures are performed by Dr Ian Little, a fellow of the Australasian College of Phlebology.

Endovenous Laser Ablation, Venaseal Ablation or Sclerotherapy are walk-in / walk-out procedures.

Endovenous Ablation

Illustration of the steps involved in endovenous ablation

1. An ultrasound map is done to guide.

2. The Doctor will insert a catheter into the appropriate vein. Then you will be injected with an anaesthetic to numb the leg, this also empties blood out of the vein and protects surrounding tissue.

3. Energy in the form of radiofrequency (Vnus closure®) or laser light (EVLT) creates a heat ideally of 85 degrees emitted from the catheter to heat the vein wall.

4. This causes the vein to shrink and close, redirecting blood to healthier veins.

This procedure takes around 1 hour.

Venaseal Ablation (vein glue)

Illustration of the steps involved in venaseal ablation

1. An ultrasound map is done to guide.

2. The Doctor will insert a catheter into the appropriate vein.

3. Then small portions of Venaseal glue (vein glue) is deposited down the length of the unwanted vein followed by some gentle pressure.

4. This squeezes the vein closed permanently.

This treatment is a growing trend worldwide as does not leave much dead blood (clot) in the vein. There is also a very reduced risk of damage to the nearby structures, which include nerves. This treatment can be used safely in the lower leg area. This treatment causes only a minor discomfort, has less need to wear a stocking afterwards, and involves less use of needles, as we do not need to numb the vein.

Varicose Vein Sclerotherapy

Illustration of the steps involved in Sclerotherapy

1. An ultrasound map is done to guide.

2. The doctor will insert a catheter into the appropriate vein.

3. Treatment is effected by injecting a micro-foam into the vein.

4. The medicine reacts with the inside of the vein and the body reacts by shutting down the vein. The blood flow diverts back into the deeper, normal veins and improves the circulation.

Sclerotherapy is a 30 minute, virtually painless procedure with huge advantages over surgery, including no general anesthetic, no stitches, no hospital admission needed, and no time off work. It is a walk-in, walk-out procedure which is about half the cost of surgery.

This is a technique that involves placing a medicine in the unwanted veins, and this is used for treating various vein conditions such as; varicose veins, reticular veins, spider veins of the leg, and also some fine facial veins. Varicose and spider veins are predominant in women and affect up to 40% of the population.

Sclerotherapy has been a specialty treatment in Europe since the 1960's and was always thought of as the treatment of choice for smaller spider or thread veins, which are common on the face and legs. However nowadays, with the help of ultrasound guidance to visualise the larger problem veins, and with advent of foam medicine, even the largest of varicose veins are treated safely this way.

Patient Information Consent Form Before and After Treatment Instructions

 

Book online via the Transform Clinic booking link below.

Select location as Riccarton or Dunedin, and service as Consultation Varicose Veins.

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