Choosing your varicose vein treatment

The faulty vein can be closed from inside, removed through small cuts or an open operation, or treated with injections.

Which of these suits you depends on your symptoms and your duplex ultrasound findings.

Varicose veins are swollen, twisted veins that commonly occur in the legs due to weakened or damaged vein valves.

These swollen, twisted veins can cause discomfort, swelling, and aching, affecting your daily life. There are a variety of treatment options available to remove them, ranging from minimally invasive procedures to surgery.

On this page, surgery means stripping and ligation, an open operation that ties off and removes the faulty vein.

Some people call it varicose veins surgery or varicose vein removal surgery. The other procedures close or remove the vein without an open operation. Where they are called day surgery, that means you go home the same day, not that you have an open operation.

No single treatment suits everyone.

The right choice depends on your scan findings, the size and shape of your veins, your symptoms, your general health and your own preferences.

A 2025 review of the published studies found fewer nerve injuries and burns with the methods that use no heat, which may matter most below the knee.

It also found a slightly lower rate of the vein staying closed with them, and less long-term evidence.

Its evidence beyond five years is more limited than for laser and radiofrequency treatment, which have been studied for more than two decades, so it is offered to selected patients whose veins suit it.

A duplex ultrasound scan shows whether your vein is suited to it.

Possible side effects include bruising or tenderness, an inflamed vein called phlebitis, darker skin over the treated vein, and a vein that does not close fully or opens again.

An allergic reaction to the sclerosant and a clot in a deep vein are rare.

Medication and compression stockings may help with mild symptoms but they do not treat the root cause of varicose veins.

Exercise, raising the legs and compression stockings can ease the symptoms, but they cannot repair damaged vein valves or stop the backward flow of blood.

The article on how home care helps, and its limits explains what you can do at home.

Treatment is generally recommended when varicose veins cause troublesome symptoms, affect your daily life, bleed or form a clot, or come with skin changes or a leg ulcer.

Some people have mild veins that cause no symptoms and can be observed.

For most people, varicose veins are not dangerous.

In some people they cause lasting symptoms and, left untreated, may lead over time to skin changes or a leg ulcer, which are set out in the article on when to worry about varicose veins.

They can. A treated vein occasionally reopens, but new varicose veins more often come from another vein whose valves fail later.

An accurate duplex scan before treatment, and treating each leaking vein that matters, makes it less likely.

Diabetic patients can get their varicose veins treated using minimally invasive techniques that leave minimal wounds that heal well.

Varicose vein treatments are usually done as a day surgery. Patients will be discharged after the procedure.

After stripping and ligation, some patients stay overnight.

While Dr Ooi provides his patients with a 2 week medical certificate, some patients may be able to return to work within 4-5 days.

Low-impact exercises like walking are allowed after treatment, but patients should avoid strenuous exercises for at least a week.

The blood in the affected veins will reroute into your healthier veins and flow normally after varicose vein treatment.

Depending on the severity and symptoms of your varicose veins, your treatment can be insurance claimable. Contact our clinic to find out more information on your out-of-pocket fees.

It depends on the treatment, how severe the veins are and other factors.

The costs page sets out how MediSave and insurance apply.