Varicose Veins Treatment in Auckland
Palm Clinic is a centre of excellence for varicose veins treatment in Auckland using Radiofrequency Ablation and Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy. Radiofrequency Ablation is recognised as the Gold Standard treatment for varicose veins. Surgery is no longer needed for most people with varicose veins.
The latest walk in/walk out, non surgical varicose vein techniques of Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) and Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy (UGS) have been available at Palm Vein Clinic in Auckland for over ten years. More recently we have introduced Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA) which gets the same impressive results as EVLA but with less discomfort. We are able to treat almost all varicose veins, regardless of size, non surgically. This means you can generally return to work the same day but you will need to avoid heavy lifting or straining for two weeks.
Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA) — The gold-standard, non surgical way to close faulty varicose veins at their source. Clinically proven to give the longest lasting result and the fastest recovery.
Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) — For the last ten years Palm Clinic used this procedure to close off faulty varicose veins at their source. This is also a gold-standard technique but has recently been superceded by Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA).
Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy (UGS) — This technique was pioneered 20 years ago in New Zealand by Dr. John Barrett, the founder of Palm Clinic. It involves using an ultrasound to guide treatment of the varicose veins with a sclerosant medication which closes the faulty veins diverting the blood flow through healthier pathways. This results in improved drainage of the leg and a resolution of symptoms.
New Zealand's Busiest Varicose Vein Clinic
Dr John Barrett, the founder of Palm Clinic in Auckland, introduced Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy to New Zealand in 1998 and was one of the first exponents of Endovenous Laser Ablation for varicose vein treatments in New Zealand. We now have a team of phlebologists led by Dr Sam Dunn at Palm Clinic in Auckland which is the busiest Vein Clinic in New Zealand. Palm Clinic has performed over 3000 laser treatments for varicose veins and more than ten thousand ultrasound guided sclerotherapy procedures.
Varicose Vein Treatment Process
With one of Palm Clinic's Phlebologists (vein doctors). He/she will assess your varicose veins and recommend whether treatment is required. Varicose vein treatment options include: a definitive treatment such as radiofrequency ablation and/or ultrasound guided sclerotherapy or a conservative approach if treatment is not warranted, such as wearing compression hosiery.
An ultrasound of your varicose veins will be performed at Palm Clinic by a vascular sonographer and a "map" of your veins will be created. This will be assessed by your Palm Clinic Doctor and a varicose vein treatment plan, optimised for you, will be formulated. You will then book for the relevant treatment sessions at a time that suits you.
An information folder will be given to you with copies of the treatment plan, possible risks and side effects, requirements for post treatment care and a quote. We have this information in French and Mandarin if required.
Medical Insurance for Varicose Veins
Palm Clinic is an affiliated provider to Southern Cross for varicose veins and a First Choice Provider for NIB. Medical necessity criteria apply.
For Southern Cross and NIB you do not need prior approval. Palm Clinic is able to authorise this online if you bring your member number. Varicose vein treatments are generally covered by other medical insurers such as Sovereign, Unimed and others when meeting 'medical necessity criteria'.
Vein Treatment Video
The Palm Clinic vein treatment/pre-appointment video introduces you to the Palm Clinic veins team, explains what to expect during treatment, what you need to do to prepare for treatment, post-treatment instructions for when you get home as well as potential side effects.
FAQ
Varicose veins are large dilated blood vessels that have a bluish colour and protrude above the surface of the skin. Varicose veins are commonly associated with symptoms such as aching, throbbing, tired legs, varicose leg ulcers, cramp, heavy legs, burning, itching, varicose eczema, leg swelling and restless legs.
Healthy leg veins have valves inside that allow blood to flow against gravity up the leg and back towards the heart. Varicose veins have faulty valves causing blood to move in the wrong direction back down towards the feet. The resultant pooling of blood in the vein causes the typical symptoms of heaviness and aching.
Treatment closes the faulty varicose vein, diverting flow through the healthy deep veins meaning better drainage of the leg and resolution of symptoms.
Varicose veins can occur...
- As a hereditary medical vein condition - varicose veins tend to run in families.
- In both men and women, but are more frequent in women. Oestrogen may play a role in varicose vein development because early adulthood and pregnancy are often when we first notice varicose veins.
- During pregnancy the enlarged uterus can restrict drainage of the legs and cause varicose veins.
- As a result of occupations with prolonged standing, varicose veins can occur. e.g. hairdressers and people who work in retail.
- As we get older, varicose veins are more prevalent.
- Obesity is a risk factor for varicose veins
Varicose veins can cause heavy tired legs, throbbing or aching. This is more likely after prolonged sitting or standing and symptoms are usually worse at the end of the day. Other symptoms can include ankle swelling, restlessness in the legs, cramp, itching, or a red rash (‘varicose eczema’) on the skin of the legs.
Sometimes you will notice a dark pigment forming on the lower legs or a congested purple appearance of the feet at the end of the day. Varicose ulcers can appear as a direct result of your varicose veins. If you’ve noticed any of these symptoms make an appointment to see one of our vein doctors (phlebologists) at Palm Clinic.
Although varicose veins are not a life-threatening condition, most people with symptoms (such as aching) notice an increased quality of life after vein treatment. Or if you are symptom-free but dislike the appearance of the veins, you may choose treatment for cosmetic reasons.
For more serious complications such as varicose eczema or varicose ulcers it would be wise to have the varicose veins treated in order to improve the eczema or ulcers.
If you have ankle swelling caused by varicose veins it is sensible to treat the varicose veins as this will often improve the swelling.
The two main treatments are Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy (UGS), and Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA). You can find out more about these two procedures above – but generally speaking, UGS tends to be used for smaller, twisted veins; while RFA is used for larger, straighter veins. RFA is considered the gold-standard approach to treat Varicose Veins currently. Surgical stripping is an option but this is not considered the gold-standard due to increased risk and recovery time compared to RFA.
As the first step in your varicose vein treatment, we will take a vein map of your leg using ultrasound. This will help us plan the most effective and safest treatment for you.
One of the advantages of non-surgical treatment is that there’s no ‘down time’, other than the actual treatment session. You can get back to your normal routine virtually straight away. There are some exceptions – such as playing sport, heavy lifting and flying. You’ll be given easy-to-follow instructions for your post-treatment care. Those whose work involves repeated heavy lifting (>10Kg) will need to be on light duties for two weeks.
We will give you a cost estimate at the initial consultation depending on the extent of the problem and what treatment will be best for you. Check with your medical insurance provider, to see if they will cover the cost. (Palm Clinic is an affiliated Provider to Southern Cross Healthcare, and a First Choice Provider to NIB Medical Insurance). If you don’t have health insurance, or your treatment is not medically necessary, you may wish to pay for the treatment yourself.
It’s a good idea to discuss any future treatment with your GP. However you do not need a referral to visit Palm Clinic – you can make an appointment directly with us. We will always write to your GP advising our management recommendations.
After the initial consultation where your Palm Clinic vein physician will examine your varicose veins you will then proceed to an ultrasound mapping of your deep and superficial veins which will provide an accurate diagnosis and help to define the best technique for your treatment.
Please note that individual results may vary from patient to patient, and the information provided on our website is only a guidance to the possible results.