For many living with painful and disfiguring varicose veins, relief has been elusive, often due to National Health Service policies that classify the condition as cosmetic rather than a medical necessity. However, a pioneering 15-minute procedure known as foam sclerotherapy is offering a life-changing solution for those who do not qualify for NHS treatment.
Michelle Moore, a 58-year-old council worker, experienced decades of discomfort from varicose veins that appeared after her third child. What began as faint blue lines on her legs developed into painful, itchy, and knotted bulges that significantly impacted her daily life and self-confidence. She described the sensation as constant pressure, akin to elastic bands tightly wrapped around her legs, which worsened in hot weather.
Despite repeatedly visiting her general practitioner, Moore was told the NHS would not fund treatment, as varicose veins were considered a cosmetic issue. This stance is common, with NHS treatment typically reserved for cases of severe pain or complications, a threshold that excludes many.
"I always said it clearly wasn’t a cosmetic issue as I was in pain all the time," Moore stated. "But it didn’t make any difference."
Seeking an alternative, Moore discovered foam sclerotherapy. This procedure involves injecting a specialized foam solution directly into the malfunctioning veins, causing them to seal and effectively disappear. According to Mr. Sanjay Patel, a vascular consultant at the UK Vein Clinic, the procedure is safe and effective, noting that the veins themselves are no longer functioning properly.
"If you have varicose veins, those veins are no longer working properly," Patel explained. "So there is no point in keeping them."
The injections, usually completed within 15 minutes, are typically not painful. While most patients require up to three sessions for optimal results, Moore's experience was so positive that she only needed two sessions. The cost for this private treatment is approximately £2,500 per leg.
Following her foam sclerotherapy in November, Moore observed a dramatic improvement. After her legs were bandaged for two days, she noticed an immediate difference. Within four months, the varicose veins that had plagued her for decades had faded significantly, restoring her comfort and confidence. "I hadn’t realised how much it had taken over my life until they were gone," she said. "I’m no longer in pain, there’s no itchiness and I feel confident again – I can even wear shorts."
Experts like Dr. Nisa Aslam, a GP based in Watford, Hertfordshire, argue that it is a "scandal" the NHS does not offer such treatments more broadly. She contends that varicose veins are often more than cosmetic, causing pain that can hinder a patient's ability to work. Dr. Aslam believes wider NHS provision of treatment would improve patients' lives, potentially boost the economy, and free up NHS resources by reducing recurring GP visits for unsupported patients.
Varicose veins affect approximately one in five adults. The condition arises from malfunctioning valves within blood vessels, leading to blood pooling. While often genetic, factors like pregnancy can exacerbate the issue. Beyond discomfort, varicose veins increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a potentially life-threatening condition where a blood clot forms in a deep vein and can travel to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism. Annually, only about 20,000 operations for varicose veins are performed on the NHS, a fraction of the number of people affected by the condition.