Modern varicose vein treatments like endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) are highly effective but unfortunately, some patients experience recurrent varicose veins after treatment. There are many potential causes of varicose vein recurrence, including not undertaking a sufficient number of varicose vein treatment sessions, having a strong genetic predisposition for varicose veins, and not making the required lifestyle changes, for example, not quitting smoking.

Doctor removing varicose veins from patient’s leg.

Understandably, having your varicose veins return after treatment is frustrating, so it’s important to make the right decisions pre and post treatment. Such decisions include choosing the right varicose vein specialist, strictly adhering to your doctor’s aftercare instructions, and leading a healthy lifestyle post-treatment.

 

Why Some Patients Experience Recurrent Varicose Veins After Treatment

As mentioned earlier, there are several reasons why some patients have their varicose veins return after treatment, including:

  • New Blood Vessels

After you’ve undergone varicose vein treatment, your body will work hard at healing itself and sometimes this healing process undoes the effects of the treatment. With regard to varicose veins and treatments, this is known as neovascularisation, which is the development of new blood cells.

  • Not Enough Vein Treatments or the Wrong Type of Treatment

For some patients, the cause of recurrent varicose veins after treatment is not undergoing enough treatments or undergoing the wrong type of treatment. Most varicose veins need multiple treatments and the treatment undertaken must be the right one for your unique situation. These aren’t issues that you’ll experience if you entrust your varicose vein treatment to the specialists at Vein Care in Melbourne.

  • Strong Genetic Varicose Vein Predisposition

Some people have a strong genetic varicose vein predisposition, and this is the reason why their varicose veins return after treatment. The right treatment, whether sclerotherapy or ambulatory phlebectomy, for example, can make a difference in people with progressive varicose vein conditions. However, due to their predisposition to developing varicose veins, they’re at greater risk of experiencing a recurrence than other patients.

 

Make the Right Lifestyle Changes

To minimise the chance of your varicose veins returning after treatment, you’ll likely need to make a few lifestyle changes. While some people may struggle with this, it’s important to understand that certain lifestyle factors, like smoking, becoming pregnant again or returning to an occupation where you stand or sit for long periods, significantly increase the likelihood of recurrent varicose veins after treatment.

For many people, varicose vein treatment provides a great opportunity to take a closer look at their current lifestyle and identify areas in which improvements need to be made. Making the effort to quit vices like smoking or lead a more active lifestyle complement varicose vein treatments and can help to safeguard against the return of the condition after treatment. Your doctor will discuss the lifestyle changes you should consider making during your treatment.

Vein Care is one of the most established and trusted vein specialists in Melbourne, with clinics located in Camberwell, Boronia and Sydenham.  Call us today on 1300 568 676 to speak with a team member about the varicose vein treatments we offer or book an appointment at a convenient time.