Varicose vein treatment at Spire Washington Hospital

At Spire Washington Hospital, we provide comprehensive private hospital care for our patients across the North East.

We can treat varicose veins if they’re causing pain or complications, or if you'd like to have them treated for aesthetic reasons.

You can get fast access to one of our expert consultants who’ll provide a treatment and recovery plan that’s tailored to you.

Your consultant will recommend a treatment based on the type of varicose veins you have, your general health and your desired outcome.

We have a range of treatments available. All have their own potential benefits and risks which your consultant will discuss with you.

The following procedure uses ultrasound imaging to guide your consultant when positioning the injection or catheter (a thin tube through which smaller instruments can be inserted):

• Radiofrequency ablation (eg Venefit®, also called VNUS closure) – a probe inside a catheter is inserted into the affected vein and uses radiofrequency energy to heat and seal the vein

We also offer:

• Hook phlebectomy or microphlebectomy – small incisions are made close to the vein and a hook-shaped instrument is used to remove the affected veins through the incisions
• Ligation and stripping – a surgical procedure to remove the veins

Getting here

The hospital is within easy reach of the A1(M), close to Durham, Newcastle and Sunderland. Public transport options are available. We have free on-site parking for you and your visitors.

Your consultation

You’ll meet your chosen consultant in one of our private consultation rooms. They’ll discuss:

• The reasons why you’d like treatment
• Your medical history
• Which treatment will be best for you
• How the procedure will be performed and what anaesthetic you’ll need
• The potential benefits and risks

Your consultant may need you to have additional tests or scans before they can recommend the next steps.

You may also need a pre-operative assessment to check your fitness and overall health before the procedure.

On the day

One of our nurses and your consultant will meet you on arrival and get you prepared for your treatment. You’ll be taken to an operating theatre or a day surgery theatre.

Where you’ll be treated depends on what treatment you’re having and what kind of anaesthetic you’ll need.

The procedure will take between 30 minutes to an hour, but may be longer if you’re having a lot of veins and/or both legs treated.

Anaesthetic

The anaesthetic required varies depending on the procedure you’re having and your overall health. Most procedures are performed using local anaesthetic (so the area being treated will be numb). However, sometimes it may be necessary to have a general anaesthetic, for instance it’s often needed for ligation and stripping which is a surgical procedure for treating varicose veins.

After treatment

You can usually go home a couple of hours after your procedure. You’ll be taken to relax in a private room before going home when you’re ready.

However, you may require an overnight stay, particularly if you’ve had a general anaesthetic. If so, you’ll have your own en-suite room which will have:

• TV
• Window
• Armchair
• Wardrobe
• En-suite

Most people can resume normal activities immediately after varicose vein surgery. For ligation and stripping, you may need to rest and take some time off work before gently returning back to your normal routine.

Your consultant may advise that you wear compression stockings for up to a week.

You’ll return to the hospital for a check-up appointment two to six weeks later, so we can ensure that you’re healing as expected and your veins have improved.

Although everyone’s different and you should always follow your consultant’s advice, here’s a typical recovery timeline: