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Varicose Veins

Overview

What are Varicose Veins?

A common vascular condition, varicose veins are the medical term referring to veins that enlarge, twist and bulge, most frequently appearing in the legs and feet. When the one-way valves within our veins, which are designed to keep blood flowing efficiently back to the heart, become weak or damaged, varicose veins start to form. What this valve failure does is allow for blood to pool or reflux backwards which in return increases pressure within the walls of the veins. This pressure causes the veins to stretch, distort and become visibly prominent beneath the skin over time.

Varicose veins are treated by vascular surgeons, who are medical doctors specialising in disorders of the blood vessels. A lot of the time, people mistake varicose veins for being just a cosmetic concern. However, most of the time, they are a clear sign of underlying venous insufficiency. This is a medical condition that if left unaddressed, can lead to significant discomfort and complications.

Types of Venous Conditions

Venous disorders present on a spectrum and can be anything from minor cosmetic spots to medical conditions that are more severe. Simple varicose veins are the most common which appear as rope-like veins that are swollen. Reticular veins appear as flat blue-green veins and are smaller, feeding into the larger varicosities. Fine, web-like red or purple clusters that are visible on the skin's surface are referred to as spider veins, known medically as telangiectasias. An underlying condition known as Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) is usually the cause of most of these presentations, caused by prolonged high pressure in the veins which leads to symptoms like heaviness, swelling and skin changes.

More severe complications are possible, and these include venous eczema, skin discolouration known as lipodermatosclerosis, and venous leg ulcers. Superficial thrombophlebitis is the medical reference to inflammation and clotting within a varicose vein and requires treatment.

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When patients notice a more visible appearance of veins or a change in the way their veins look, they should consult a specialist. Symptoms like aching, heaviness or a pronounced feeling of fatigue in the legs, particularly after prolonged standing indicate an issue might be developing and needs to be evaluated. Signs of progression include night-time cramps, a persistent itch around the veins or noticeable swelling around the ankles, signalling venous insufficiency. More advanced signs that require prompt attention are things like skin changes, such as darkening, hardening or inflammation around the ankle.

Symptoms that require urgent assessment are any sudden, painful swelling or redness over a vein which could indicate phlebitis. If quality of life starts to become affected by leg discomfort or if patients have concerns about the health of their veins, it is time to seek a professional opinion from a vascular specialist.

The Varicose vein treatment process begins with a detailed physical examination, where the specialist will assess the extent and pattern of the visible veins and discuss symptoms. The gold-standard diagnostic tool is a Duplex Ultrasound scan which is a non-invasive, painless test performed in the clinic providing a real-time, colour-coded map of the veins. It allows the consultant to visualise the direction of blood flow, pinpoint the exact location of faulty valves and measure the speed of reflux. It also allows them to assess the depth and connections of the venous system. Detailed mapping as such is crucial. It provides the precise data that’s needed to plan any intervention, moving diagnosis beyond a visual inspection to ensure the correct underlying cause is targeted.

  • Primary Varicose Veins
  • Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI)
  • Superficial Thrombophlebitis
  • Venous Leg Ulcers and pre-ulcerative skin changes
  • Reticular Veins and Spider Veins (Telangiectasias)
  • Venous Eczema and pigmentation
  • Bleeding from superficial varicosities
  • Venous malformations and complex recurrent varicose veins

At NMC Hospital and Clinics across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah and Al Ain, we take an approach that’s both patient-centred and evidence-based, starting with a thorough diagnostic workup. Conservative management first for all suitable patients is something we firmly believe in exploring, before moving to anything invasive. Detailed advice on medical-grade compression hosiery, lifestyle and exercise modifications and leg elevation strategies are all ways we attempt to tackle varicose veins.

When these measures are insufficient to control symptoms or improve cosmetic concern, we offer a full suite of modern, minimally invasive procedures. The goal of contemporary varicose vein surgery is to seal or remove the incompetent vein with minimal discomfort and offer rapid recovery. Endovenous Thermal Ablation (Laser or Radiofrequency) uses heat energy, delivered via a thin catheter under ultrasound guidance, to close the faulty saphenous vein. Non-thermal techniques use mechanochemical or medical adhesive respectively to achieve the same result without the need for tumescent anaesthesia. For smaller varicosities, ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy or microsclerotherapy are highly effective office-based treatments. Traditional surgical ligation and stripping are now reserved for specific complex cases.

Our team consists of consultant vascular surgeons who have a dedicated focus on venous disease and come with specialised training and experience in the latest endovenous techniques. Teams of vascular technologists and nurses who specialise in duplex ultrasound and post-procedure care support all our vascular surgeons.

We understand many patients dealing with varicose veins have questions about procedures, outcomes and recovery. Our consultants, with unparalleled bedside manners, approach patients and their conditions mindfully, while setting realistic expectations. They explain all imaging offering all the varicose vein treatment options that are available. All our doctors are commended for their mix of technical proficiency coupled with their compassionate, communicative approach. This ensures that every patient in our care feels informed and confident in their care plan. Our NMC specialists provide a consistent standard of expert, personalised care whether patients are looking for a vein clinic across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah and Al Ain.

FAQs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Heredity, age, pregnancy, hormonal influences are usually the key factors. Occupations that involve prolonged standing and a history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) are also causes. Weakened or damaged valves in the veins are the primary cause.
Modern treatments have major advantages with patients walking immediately after the procedure and are encouraged to do so. Within 24-48 hours, most return to normal daily activities, excluding heavy lifting and vigorous exercise. For a prescribed period, we recommend wearing compression stockings.
The treated vein is closed permanently, and the body will absorb it over time. The procedure eliminates the specific faulty vein and its visible branches successfully. But because the underlying tendency for venous insufficiency remains, this means the potential for new veins can develop over years. When this happens, you may require maintenance treatment.
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