Conditions We Treat

Varicose Veins

At The Vein Surgeons, we specialise in diagnosing and treating varicose veins using cutting-edge, minimally invasive techniques. Varicose veins are enlarged, swollen veins, often blue or dark purple, that commonly appear on the legs and feet. They occur when the walls and valves of veins weaken or become damaged, causing blood to flow backward and pool in the veins. While often harmless, varicose veins can cause discomfort, aching, swelling, and cosmetic concerns that impact daily life.

Symptoms and Causes

Symptoms of varicose veins include twisted or bulging veins, a heavy or throbbing sensation in the legs, swelling in the lower legs and ankles, and dry or itchy skin over the affected areas. Certain factors increase the likelihood of developing varicose veins, such as advancing age, hormonal changes (especially in women), pregnancy, family history, and lifestyle habits like prolonged sitting, standing, or lack of exercise

Prevention and Lifestyle

Preventing varicose veins involves maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise, keeping a healthy weight, wearing loose-fitting clothing, and elevating your legs while resting can help reduce the risk or alleviate early symptoms. However, these measures alone will not reverse varicose veins. If you experience discomfort, persistent swelling, or changes in your skin, seeking medical advice is essential.

Personalised Varicose Vein Treatments

At The Vein Surgeons, we provide advanced, tailored treatments for varicose veins, ensuring long-term relief and improved quality of life. During your initial consultation, we use a detailed Colour Duplex Ultrasound Scan to assess the anatomy and function of your veins. This allows us to identify any underlying causes and recommend the most suitable treatment for your condition.


Contact us today to book your consultation and take the first step towards clear, healthy legs with expert care you can trust.

Contact

Our Minimally Invasive Treatments:

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)

RFA is the gold-standard treatment for varicose veins, recommended by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). This minimally invasive procedure uses heat generated by radiofrequency energy to destroy the affected vein from the inside. Guided by ultrasound and performed under local anaesthetic, RFA seals the faulty vein and redirects blood flow to healthy veins. The entire process takes around 2 hours, with no need for general anaesthetic or extended recovery time.

Foam Sclerotherapy

Foam sclerotherapy is a highly effective secondary treatment for visible varicose veins. In this procedure, a sclerosant solution is mixed with air to create foam, which is then injected into the vein under ultrasound guidance. The foam pushes out blood and seals the vein, which is then absorbed naturally by the body. This procedure is quick, taking 30–45 minutes, and is ideal for smaller residual veins or patients unsuitable for RFA.

Avulsions (Phlebectomies)

Avulsions involve the physical removal of visible veins through tiny skin incisions. Performed under local anaesthetic, this treatment is often combined with RFA or Foam Sclerotherapy for optimal cosmetic results. The incisions are so small that they require no stitches and heal quickly with minimal scarring.

Comprehensive Care with The Vein Surgeons

From consultation to treatment and aftercare, we provide expert guidance and personalised care at every stage of your journey. Following treatment, you’ll wear surgical support stockings for a week to aid recovery and ensure the best results. Most patients can resume normal activities immediately, with light exercise like walking encouraged to promote healing. While no treatment can guarantee the complete removal of all varicose veins, our expertise and evidence-based care minimise the risk of recurrence. Our goal is to restore comfort, confidence, and long-lasting relief tailored to your individual needs.

Why Choose The Vein Surgeons?

At The Vein Surgeons, we combine advanced techniques with compassionate, patient-centred care. Our highly skilled consultants have years of experience in managing varicose veins and will create a bespoke treatment plan designed to achieve the best possible outcomes. With our minimally invasive treatments, there’s no need for general anaesthetic, lengthy hospital stays, or time off work – you can walk in and walk out on the same day.


Take the first step towards clear, healthy legs and contact us today to book your consultation. Together, we’ll create a personalised plan to treat the root cause of your varicose veins and give you the confidence to move forward.

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) is a highly effective, minimally invasive procedure for treating varicose veins. It is considered the gold-standard treatment by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) due to its safety, precision, and long-term success in managing varicose veins. RFA works by using heat generated by radiofrequency energy to close off the faulty vein, restoring proper blood flow and alleviating symptoms.

What Is RFA and How Does It Work?

RFA uses radiofrequency energy to deliver controlled heat to the walls of the affected vein. This heat causes the vein to collapse and seal shut. Once the vein is closed, blood is naturally rerouted to healthy veins, improving circulation in the leg. Over time, the body absorbs the treated vein, eliminating its appearance and resolving associated symptoms.

What to Expect During the Procedure

1. Preparation:

  • The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic, making it comfortable and pain-free.
  • An ultrasound scan is used to map the affected veins and guide the treatment.

2. Inserting the Catheter:

  • A small incision is made near the affected vein, and a thin catheter is inserted into the vein under ultrasound guidance.
  • The catheter is positioned along the faulty vein to deliver the radiofrequency energy.

3. Ablation Process:

Radiofrequency energy is applied through the catheter, heating the vein wall and causing it to collapse.

The catheter is slowly withdrawn along the vein, ensuring the entire length of the affected vein is treated.

4. Completion:

The treated area is bandaged, and a compression stocking is applied to promote healing and support circulation.


The entire procedure typically takes around 60–90 minutes, and you can walk out of the clinic shortly after, with no need for a general anaesthetic or prolonged recovery.

Benefits of RFA

  • Minimally Invasive: No large incisions or stitches are required, resulting in minimal scarring and discomfort.
  • Quick Recovery: Most patients can return to normal activities within 24–48 hours.
  • High Success Rate: RFA has a proven track record of long-term effectiveness in treating varicose veins.
  • Recommended by NICE: It is the preferred treatment for varicose veins due to its safety and reliability.

How Long Do Results Take?

RFA provides both functional and cosmetic benefits:

  • Symptom relief, such as reduced aching, swelling, or heaviness, is often noticeable within a few days to weeks.
  • Cosmetic improvements, such as the disappearance of visible veins, can take several weeks to fully develop as the body absorbs the treated vein.

Aftercare and Recovery

After RFA, patients are encouraged to walk immediately to promote blood flow and aid recovery. Light activities can be resumed the same day, and most people can return to work within 1–2 days.

Post-Treatment Guidelines:

Wear compression stockings for 1–2 weeks as recommended by your consultant.


  • Avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, or prolonged standing for 1–2 weeks.
  • Refrain from long-haul flights or extended periods of immobility for 4 weeks.


Mild bruising, tightness, or slight discomfort in the treated area is normal and resolves within a few weeks. Over-the-counter pain relief can be taken if needed.

Risks and Considerations

RFA is a safe and effective procedure, but like all medical treatments, it carries some risks, which are rare and typically minor. These include:


  • Temporary bruising, swelling, or redness.
  • Slight nerve irritation or numbness near the treated area.
  • Very rarely, blood clots (deep vein thrombosis) or skin burns.


Your consultant will discuss all potential risks during your consultation and provide personalised advice to ensure a smooth recovery.

Why Choose The Vein Surgeons for RFA?

At The Vein Surgeons, we specialise in state-of-the-art treatments for varicose veins, including Radiofrequency Ablation. Our highly skilled consultants have years of experience in performing this minimally invasive procedure, ensuring safe and precise results tailored to your needs.


From your initial consultation to post-treatment follow-up, we provide expert guidance, personalised care, and a commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes. With RFA, you can enjoy fast relief, a smooth recovery, and long-lasting results.


Take the first step towards healthier, more confident legs – contact us today to book your consultation.

Foam Sclerotherapy

At The Vein Surgeons, we specialise in state-of-the-art treatments for varicose veins, including Radiofrequency Ablation. Our highly skilled consultants have years of experience in performing this minimally invasive procedure, ensuring safe and precise results tailored to your needs.


From your initial consultation to post-treatment follow-up, we provide expert guidance, personalised care, and a commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes. With RFA, you can enjoy fast relief, a smooth recovery, and long-lasting results.


Take the first step towards healthier, more confident legs – contact us today to book your consultation.

What Is Foam Sclerotherapy?

This procedure involves injecting a specialised solution, known as a sclerosant, into the affected veins. To enhance its effectiveness, the sclerosant is mixed with air to create a foam. The foam works by displacing the blood within the vein, allowing the sclerosant to come into direct contact with the vein walls. This causes the vein to seal shut, and over time, the body naturally absorbs the treated vein.


Foam sclerotherapy is performed under ultrasound guidance, ensuring precise delivery of the foam and thorough treatment of the vein. The procedure is quick, typically taking 30–45 minutes, depending on the number of veins being treated.

What to Expect During the Procedure

1. Preparation:

Before the procedure, the treatment area is cleaned, and the veins to be treated are identified and marked. Ultrasound imaging is used to guide the process and ensure precision.

2. Foam Injection:

Using a very fine needle, the foam sclerosant is carefully injected into the vein under ultrasound guidance. The foam pushes the blood out of the vein, allowing the sclerosant to act directly on the vein walls, sealing it off.

03. Compression:

After the injection, compression bandages or elastic stockings are applied to the treated area. Compression is crucial for maintaining vein closure and promoting healing.

Advantages of Foam Sclerotherapy

  • Minimally Invasive: The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and does not require general anaesthetic or incisions.
  • Quick Recovery: Most patients can return to their normal activities immediately after treatment.
  • Precise and Effective: Ultrasound guidance ensures accuracy, making the treatment effective for even small or hard-to-reach veins.
  • Ideal for Smaller Veins: Foam sclerotherapy is particularly suitable for treating smaller residual veins or as a follow-up treatment to primary procedures like RFA.

How Long Do Results Take?

Results from foam sclerotherapy are not immediate, as the body needs time to absorb the treated veins.

  • Most patients notice visible improvement within 2–4 weeks.
  • Optimal results are typically achieved within 8–12 weeks.

For patients with extensive or stubborn veins, multiple sessions may be required for the best outcome.

Aftercare and Recovery

Following foam sclerotherapy, compression stockings are worn for several days to ensure vein closure and support the healing process. Most patients experience minimal discomfort and can resume normal activities immediately. Light walking is encouraged to improve circulation, but high-impact exercise should be avoided for about a week.

Risks and Considerations

As with any medical procedure, there are potential risks, though complications are rare. These may include:


  • Temporary bruising, redness, or swelling at the injection site.
  • Minor pigmentation changes in the treated area.
  • Rarely, small clots or inflammation in the treated veins.


Your consultant will discuss these risks in detail during your consultation to ensure you are fully informed.

Why Choose The Vein Surgeons for Foam Sclerotherapy?

At The Vein Surgeons, we combine expert care with cutting-edge techniques to deliver safe, effective, and personalised treatment plans. Our consultants are highly skilled in foam sclerotherapy and will ensure that every step of your treatment is tailored to your individual needs. From your initial consultation to post-treatment follow-up, we are dedicated to achieving the best possible results for you.


Contact us today to learn more about foam sclerotherapy and take the first step towards clear, healthy-looking legs.

What Are Avulsions (Also Known as Phlebectomies)?

Avulsions, or phlebectomies, are a procedure used to physically remove varicose veins, offering fast and effective results. Unlike foam sclerotherapy, which involves injecting a chemical to close the veins so they can be absorbed naturally by the body, avulsions physically extract the veins. This method is often chosen when patients require immediate results, such as preparing for an event.

The Procedure

Avulsions are typically performed under local anaesthetic to ensure the process is painless. The treatment involves several key steps:

1. Marking the Veins:

The consultant will carefully mark the varicose veins on your skin while you are standing, to ensure precise treatment.

2. Local Anaesthetic:

A diluted local anaesthetic is injected into the tissues around the marked veins to numb the area.

3. Removing the Veins:

Tiny incisions are made along the course of the veins using a fine scalpel or needle. A small crochet-like hook is inserted through these incisions to grasp the vein, which is then gently teased out in sections using specialised forceps. This process is repeated along the vein’s length, often removing long segments in one session.

04. Post-Treatment Care:

Once the veins are removed, small adhesive dressings are applied to the tiny wounds. A bandage is used to minimise swelling and bleeding, followed by a compression stocking to support the leg during recovery.

Avulsions vs Foam Sclerotherapy

Both avulsions and foam sclerotherapy are effective treatments for varicose veins, and the choice between the two depends on individual circumstances and patient preferences.

Avulsions

Advantage: Provides immediate results, making it ideal for patients who need a fast resolution for a special event, such as a wedding.

Disadvantage: Higher risk of bleeding, infection, and nerve damage compared to foam sclerotherapy.

Foam Sclerotherapy

Advantage:  A simpler, quicker procedure with less post-procedure discomfort in most cases.

Disadvantage:  Results take longer to appear as the body absorbs the treated veins over time.

When Are Avulsions Performed?

Avulsions are often carried out in combination with other treatments, such as Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA). However, since avulsions require a significant amount of local anaesthetic, they may need to be performed as a separate procedure if the maximum anaesthetic dose has already been used during the primary treatment.

How Long Do Results Take?

One of the main benefits of avulsions is the speed of results. Varicose veins are physically removed during the procedure, so patients can enjoy the benefits almost immediately. This makes avulsions an excellent choice for those who want quick results.

Treatment Risks

As with all medical procedures, it is important to weigh the benefits against the risks. While avulsions are generally safe, potential risks include:

  • Bleeding and bruising.
  • Minor infections at the incision sites.
  • Nerve damage, though this is rare.

Our consultants will explain all risks and benefits during your consultation to help you make an informed decision.

Why Choose The Vein Surgeons?

At The Vein Surgeons, we are committed to providing safe, effective, and tailored care for all our patients. Our highly experienced consultants will assess your individual condition and recommend the most suitable treatment plan, ensuring the best possible results with minimal downtime.


Contact us today to book your consultation and take the first step towards clear, healthy legs with expert care you can trust.