Varicose vein treatment at Spire Dunedin Hospital

Spire Dunedin Hospital is a well-established private hospital and we take pride in delivering a high standard of care to our patients in Reading and the surrounding Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire areas.

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 assess the condition of your varicose veins and your general health and will discuss with you what you’re hoping for aesthetically after the procedure, in order to recommend the most appropriate treatment for you.

Our consultants offer a variety of treatments for varicose veins.

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

• Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) – a tiny laser inside a catheter is inserted into the affected vein which emits bursts of energy to heat and seal the vein
• Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (USGFS) – a special foam is injected into the affected vein which blocks it 

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 where veins are removed through 3mm nicks in the skin
• Your consultant will explain the potential benefits and complications of each procedure before you decide to go ahead. 

Getting here

Spire Dunedin Hospital is conveniently situated close to the heart of Reading, on the A4 Bath Road. We’re a short walk from Reading West station and a 10 minute taxi ride from Reading mainline station with direct trains to and from London. 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

Once you arrive for your treatment, you’ll meet your consultant again who’ll work with our nurses to get you ready for your procedure.

Depending on the treatment and anaesthetic you’re having, you’ll be taken to an operating theatre, day surgery theatre or a consulting room.

The time taken for each procedure ranges from half an hour to an hour or longer if you’re having more veins treated.

Anaesthetic

Most procedures can be performed under local anaesthetic, meaning you won’t be able to feel anything in the area being treated. Alternatively, you may have a general anaesthetic (eg usually for surgical ligation and stripping) where you’ll be completely asleep.

After your procedure

You can usually go home a few hours after your treatment. It may be longer for general anaesthetic and if you’ve had more veins and/or both legs treated. You’ll be able to relax in a day surgery pod or ward until you’re ready to leave.

Occasionally, you may need an overnight stay. If so, you’ll have one of our private, en-suite rooms. All of our rooms have:

• En-suite bathroom
• Window
• Television
• Guest seating

Depending on the procedure you've had, in most cases you can resume normal activities immediately after varicose vein surgery, with the exception of driving. 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 one to two weeks after surgery.

You’ll be asked to return to the hospital for a check-up appointment two weeks after the procedure, so we can ensure that you’re healing as expected and your veins have improved. All treatments give excellent cosmetic and functional results, but recovery is based on an individual’s prior health.

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