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Vein Removal Treatments: The Private Clinic vs. the NHS
VARICOSE VEINS
The Daily Express recently wrote about a man (Rob Crowley, 35) who had undergone a ‘MIRACLE’ treatment for his Varicose Veins after having had an unsuccessful surgical procedure with the NHS.
The headlining treatment in question was the which was performed at our Birmingham clinic. The effectively raises three major points. First, that the EVLA treatment was far more effective at treating varicose veins than a surgical procedure. Second, the article highlights that patients aren’t aware of endovenous treatments, and finally, that the NHS has an outdated approach to the .
So, let’s tackle the latter two issues and start by demystifying the condition and its EVLA treatment.
The vascular network serves to distribute oxygen to tissues within our bodies through blood that circulates in a specific direction. The flow is regulated thanks to valves, which stop the blood from backtracking on itself and causing congestion. When these valves weaken, or fail to function properly and the vein’s walls stretch, blood can accumulate and cause the vein to swell.
by their blue and purple colours, which draw all the more attention to the convoluted, raised patterns that they follow. The condition is often hereditary and is seen in women more often than in men. Hormonal changes such as those experienced during , as can putting pressure on your lower body – be it of your occupation or your weight.
An EVLA procedure is performed under local anaesthetic and involves a slim laser-tipped fibre, being inserted through a catheter and along a vein until it reaches the edge of a Varicose Vein. Once there, the laser’s heat collapses the vein’s walls and keeps doing so along its length as your surgeon guides it back out.
During an EVLA procedure for Varicose Veins at The Private Clinic.
This straightforward treatment falls short of being a miracle, but according to the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE), it certainly represents the Gold standard for the treatment of Varicose Veins thanks to its 95.4% success and non-recurrence rate (after five years). Although NICE designated in 2013, it is a procedure that has been around for 15 years and doesn’t warrant being presented as a . At The Private Clinic, we also offer Radiofrequency Ablation, VenaSeal, Foam Sclerotherapy and Phlebectomy treatments meaning our expert surgeons can pick the best treatment, or combination of treatments to suit you.
Patients’ lack of awareness of its availability is partly due to the NHS, as the institution doesn’t commonly offer EVLA, with GPs rarely suggesting the private sector.
The most significant difference The Private Clinic’s approach and that of the NHS is that we treat the source of the problem first, whereas the NHS focuses on the . The problem with such a tactic is that patients suffer for longer periods, during which the condition can worsen and develop into something far more serious.
With the NHS, the treatment options available to you are decided by the severity of your symptoms. So, if you have big unsightly veins, but they aren’t painful or you too much discomfort, then your symptoms will be considered .
Rob Crowley’s leg before and after EVLA treatment for Varicose Veins at The Private Clinic, Birmingham.
If, on the other hand, you are experiencing pain and discomfort, then you may be eligible for treatment, but your practitioner might recommend as much as six months of self-care first. This would include regular exercise, using compression stockings, and resting often while the affected area. After this period, you’re most likely to be treated by surgical stripping, Sclerotherapy, or endovenous radiofrequency obliteration.
The of treating Varicose Veins lies in their reoccurring nature, and research shows that chances of recurrence after are higher for recurrent Varicose Veins than for primary ones. This means that it’s best to eliminate them properly the first time.
Our ‘miracle’ patient . He was eligible for a surgical procedure, but those have a two-year recurrence rate of 33%, going up to 41% for five years and rising to 70% for ten years, and it’s still the most widely offered Varicose Vein on the NHS (Health Technol Assess, 2013). Rob’s veins did indeed come back, and they were more painful and unsightly than ever. Furthermore, he was refused additional treatment.
When he came to us, his treatment lasted 45 minutes; he went home after the procedure and was varicose vein free after wearing compression garments for a few weeks to healing in the area.
While it’s true that your symptoms may not end up developing past the cosmetic stage, you should be aware of complications that may arise if you don’t treat your Varicose Veins once they start causing you pain.
The CEAP clinical score ranks the progression of venous diseases as follows:
As mentioned, the starting point for vascular treatment should be when Varicose Veins begin developing symptoms, because these may lead to:
C3: Oedema – the tissue in your affected area may start collecting excess watery fluid and cause that part of your body to become disproportionate to the rest.
C4: Eczema, Sclerosis or Pigmentation – the tissue in the affected area may start to harden (Sclerosis), become discoloured (Pigmentation), or your skin may .
C5: Healed Ulceration – An ulcer is a painful chronic sore that can take up to six weeks to heal. Once you develop an ulcer it is likely to reappear with time.
C6: Active Ulceration – Some ulcers never heal, meaning that you’ll have to manage them and the discomfort they cause, continuously.
The C3-C6 complications are very serious and can severely impede on your quality of life. Note that some of these conditions can also develop as adverse effects of vein stripping or ligation. Because of this, it may be worth considering treating your Varicose Veins with EVLA from the get-go as you run fewer chances of recurrence, procedural adverse effects, as well as periods spent in pain.
We are one of the leading veins clinics in the UK and our vascular team only consists of highly qualified, senior . They are experts in their field, who are trained in EVLA as well as , and treatments, enabling them to offer our patients care that is personalised to the patient’s needs.
- , MD, FRCS (Gen), FRCS (Gen Surg). GMC Number:
- , MBChB, FRCS (Eng), FRCS (Gen Surg). GMC Number:
- , MBBS, MS, FRCS (Gen), FRCS. GMC Number:
- , MBBS, FRCS (Gen, Surg.), MS Masters in Surgery. GMC Number:
We offer Varicose Veins treatments and consultations are available at our clinics in , , , , and .
To find out more about Varicose Veins, leg veins or to book an appointment please call or you can use our .
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The Private Clinic is a multi award winning medical group with clinics located across the UK. We have over 40 years’ in offering the best in advanced minimally invasive non surgical treatments and expert led surgical procedures in our clinics and hospitals. Our surgeons are all registered with the and we are regulated by the . The CQC is an independent regulator for health and social care in England. Last review March 10th 2023.
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