Varicose Veins
Fraser Clinic is the most comprehensive vein clinic in the Bay of Plenty region. The experienced team of Vascular Surgeon Mr Mark Morgan, assisted by Practice Nurse Wendy Burke, have treated over 2500 patients with UGS and RFA over the past 18 years in the Bay of Plenty. They have recently been joined by experienced Vascular Sonographer, Jessica Wagner.
Varicose veins are enlarged veins close to the skin’s surface and are most commonly found on the legs. Some 25% of women and 10% of men can be affected by varicose veins.
Factors which will increase your chance of varicose veins include:
- Increasing age
- Genetic factors – if other family members have had varicose veins
- Gender – women are more prone to varicose veins, especially during pregnancy
- Obesity
- Prolonged standing
Reticular and spider veins are also very common and represent a milder form of varicose veins. They are often treated for cosmetic reasons but these minor vessels frequently have their own symptoms such as cramps, itchiness and restless legs.
Veins in the legs return blood to the heart by using normal contraction of the calf muscles to squeeze blood from deeply placed vein reservoirs. Normally, the blood ascends against gravity up the deep vessels, with one way valves stopping the back flow of blood that would otherwise occur. The valves open as blood flows towards the heart and close to stop the backwards flow.
Varicose veins occur when one way valves cease to function and allow backward flow of blood. This results in increased pressure in the veins and eventually the appearance of varicose veins. You may have symptoms before the varicose veins become evident such as aching, a heavy feel in the legs, leg fatigue, a burning sensation or cramps.
Long-term, this increased pressure in the veins can result in many skin changes including eczema and ulceration.
Surgery for varicose veins has been the standard treatment approach for many years and still has a recognised part to play. In most cases, surgery involves a cut in the groin and multiple smaller cuts further down the leg. Recurrence rates, costs, and the need for general anaesthetic and hospital stay have resulted in a trend towards less invasive treatments that have a faster recovery time and statistically less recurrence.
Fraser Clinic specialises in the non-surgical treatment of all grades of varicose veins from small spider veins on the legs with microsclerotherapy, unsightly facial vessels and Rosacea with Intense Pulsed Light, to large varicose veins treated with Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) and Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy (UGS).
What is a Phlebologist?
A Phlebologist is a medically qualified doctor who has undergone further post graduate training to expertly diagnose, treat and where possible, prevent any form of venous disease, whether it be varicose veins, clotting disorders, vascular birthmarks, or leg ulcers.
The non surgical treatment of varicose veins involves:
- No surgery, therefore no general anaesthetic.
- No admission to hospital.
- Minimal downtime with prompt return to work possible.
- Safe and effective.
- Covered by most medical insurers.
