Varicose Veins
Dr Venu Bhamidi | Gold Coast
What are Varicose Veins?
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FAQs
Varicose vein treatment is a safe and straightforward process, especially with the modern minimally-invasive varicose vein treatments available. Experience the benefits of improved circulation, reduced risk of ulceration in your legs and fewer aches and pains resulting from untreated varicose veins.

What causes Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins most often occur when the valves within the veins stop functioning normally. This allows the blood, which should be pumped back to the heart, to pool in the superficial veins in the leg due to the effects of gravity. The subsequent abnormal reverse flow is known as venous reflux. If reflux is left to occur over a significant period of time, it will cause increased blood pressure in the veins, resulting in them becoming distended, swollen and varicose – a process that usually takes many years. There are a number of risk factors for developing the condition. These include:
- Increasing age
- Family history/s
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Injury to the leg veins
- Hormonal factors (e.g. puberty)
- Occupation requiring prolonged standing
- Gender (usually more common in women)
How are Varicose Veins diagnosed?
The most common problems encountered by those who have varicose veins include:
- Aching legs (ranging from mild to severe)
- Swelling of the leg/s
- Itchiness and dry skin (eczema)
- Clots and inflammation in the veins (thrombophlebitis)
- Skin discolouration (lipodematosclerosis)
- Skin ulcers


How are Varicose Veins diagnosed?
The most common problems encountered by those who have varicose veins include:
- Aching legs (ranging from mild to severe)
- Swelling of the leg/s
- Itchiness and dry skin (eczema)
- Clots and inflammation in the veins (thrombophlebitis)
- Skin discolouration (lipodematosclerosis)
- Skin ulcers

How are varicose veins treated?
In the majority of cases, diagnosing varicose veins is usually relatively straightforward. They are often easily visible and the distribution and direction of the varicose veins will usually suggest which vein in the leg is most affected.
What a physical examination cannot always confidently diagnose is where the highest point of reflux (abnormal functioning valve) occurs. Most of the time, it is located in the groin but occasionally it can be in the thigh or in the pelvis.
As well as the distribution of veins, the leg is examined for signs of other tissue damage that can be cause by the condition, such as skin discolouration, ulceration and eczema.
All varicose veins require an ultrasound to check the deep and superficial veins, get an exact diagnosis of the highest reflux point and provides a ‘map’ showing the surgeon exactly where the problems are in the veins.
The scan also shows whether the veins contain clot or are blocked due to inflammation, both of which help determine the best treatment option.
How are varicose veins treated?
Varicose veins can be treated in a number of ways – conservatively, surgery, endovenous laser or RFA therapy or ultrasound guided sclerotherapy. For minor veins that are symptomatic, a trial of conservative treatment with compressions stockings and lifestyle modification is sometimes helpful. While compression stockings don’t treat the veins, they help with managing the symptoms. As a specialist vascular and endovascular surgeon, Mr. Venu Bhamidi is a Vascular & Vein specialists who can offer the full complement of varicose vein removal techniques – from sclerotherapy through to surgery.
Surgery
Surgery most often involves a small incision in the groin to disconnect the troublesome vein from the main veins and removing the varicose vein.
Endovenous Therapy
Endovenous therapy, such as laser therapy (EVLT) or radiofrequency ablation (RFA), can be done in an office setting under local anaesthesia or under a general anaesthetic in hospital. The procedure involves ablating the vein using heat and often only takes 30-60 minutes depending on the complexity of the procedure.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy involves using a foam solution into the vein in order to irritate the inside lining of the vein and cause it to seal. The procedure is done under local anaesthetic and often under ultrasound guidance. It is not uncommon to require multiple treatments in order for the procedure to be most effective.
Prevention
While nothing can be done about several of the risk factors (age, gender, genetics), several strategies have been suggested to slow the progression of varicose veins.
These include:
- Being a healthy weight
- Wearing compression stockings regularly
- When not walking, elevate your legs to reduce some of the swelling and discomfort
- Be as active as possible – keeping the calf muscles active helps pump the blood back to the heart


Prevention
While nothing can be done about several of the risk factors (age, gender, genetics), several strategies have been suggested to slow the progression of varicose veins.
These include:
- Being a healthy weight
- Wearing compression stockings regularly
- When not walking, elevate your legs to reduce some of the swelling and discomfort
- Be as active as possible – keeping the calf muscles active helps pump the blood back to the heart