Varicose veins

Dr Sam Dunn discusses varicose veins - vanity or a medical necessity? Sam has completed the diploma of Procedural Phlebology and is the medical director of Palm Clinic in Auckland.

Topics

Definition and pathophysiology refresher
How do patients present
Clinical examinations
Self help that works
When to refer
Investigation in the community
Conservative management
Recurrence rates
Post treatment instructions
Potential complications
Spider veins

Take home messages

Common symptoms: heavy, achy, tired legs
Less common symptoms: restless legs, cramps at night, pruritus or edema
Relief from elevation or compression is very telling of a venous cause
Symptoms don’t always correlate with signs
Ultrasound scan can detect that incompetence that may not be outwardly visible
Gold standard treatment is Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or endovenous laser ablation (EVLT)
Surgery is not the treatment of choice

Resources

Vein Care: what to expect Palm Clinic Auckland
Patient information ANZSVS Research Foundation
Varicose veins Medline plus
Varicose veins Health Navigator NZ

Presenter

Dr Sam Dunn

Vein Physician

To contact Sam Click here.

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The Goodfellow Unit podcast is funded in part by the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners.