Evidence Based Venous Care in Canberra

Varicose veins are a very common problem, affecting around 25 percent of the population. They are a form of chronic venous disease. Chronic venous disease includes spider veins, reticular veins, and varicose veins. Varicose veins can be caused in part by increased pressure in the veins or poorly functioning valves in the veins. 1 in 4 women and 1 in 5 men may experience a form of chronic venous disease. Varicose veins can cause a range of symptoms starting from aching, throbbing, discomfort restlessness, in the lower legs.

These symptoms are usually worse at the end of the day particularly after an individual has been standing for a while. Often patients attend feeling like it’s not uncommon for a small cluster of spider veins to have underlying feeder veins so its not a bad idea to get a consultation.

Generally, varicose veins can slowly get worse and at the end of the spectrum, they can cause a change in the skin color around the ankle (a darkening of the skin in some cases). In the long term, this can be followed by a breakdown of the skin and sometimes the development of ulcers which can be hard to treat.

Varicose veins are treated non surgically nowadays. International guidelines now recommend endovenous thermal ablation as first-line treatment for the elimination of saphenous vein reflux. Surgical stripping of varicose veins is not a first-line treatment option for varicose veins.

Often patients might feel embarrassed to get treatment but this should not be. It’s much better in the long run to get a medical assessment of the underlying problem. Current treatment techniques include Endovenous Laser Ablation, Radio frequency Ablation, ultrasound guided sclerotherapy and Microsclerotherapy.

At CVLM, we are able to provide a clinical assessment including an in house ultrasound to advise on the most appropriate clinical management plan for your veins.