Perth's Leading Specialist in the Treatment of Varicose Veins
Dr Luke Matar | MBBS, FRANZCR, FACP
Sore Legs And Vein Problems
Aching and sore legs can be a sign of underlying vein problems. Sore legs, or heavy, tired, aching and itching legs, can go together with symptoms on the surface, like ugly veins. Bulging veins, or varicose veins, are a consequence of venous reflux.
So what is venous reflux? This is a malfunctioning of some of the valves in your leg veins. The valves normally regulate the blood flow so it flows in the direction of your heart. When the valves become “leaky”, blood starts pooling in your leg veins and this is what causes a heavy or tired feeling and the sore legs you may be experiencing.
It is important to look at the underlying causes, and to get a thorough ultrasound assessment, so your doctor can make accurate recommendations for the most suitable treatment.
What If I Have Aching And Sore Legs?
Sore legs as a symptom of venous reflux may mean that you need vein treatment. If left untreated, venous reflux can cause more symptoms and discomfort, such as swelling, venous eczema, skin discoloration and ulceration, and spontaneous bleeding.
Even if sore legs are only a minor discomfort, it’s important to also check for visible signs of a vein condition: if you have varicose or bulging veins, or small spider veins, they may indicate a problem with the “bigger branches”, the main veins in your legs.
Vein Treatment And Sore Legs
Symptoms such as sore legs can be treated with minimally invasive vein treatments, if they are linked to venous reflux or varicose veins. At The Vein Clinic Perth we will always start with an ultrasound and clinical assessment. Dr Matar will then present treatment options suitable for your personal situation.
We offer a wide range of endovenous treatments, the full range of treatments available in Australia. They also include minimally invasive and non-surgical options, and we will take the time to go through the treatments best suitable for your individual vein condition. We will also look at results that can be achieved, and ensure that you understand how the treatment works or what to expect, and that you are comfortable at all times.
If you experience sore legs or any other of the symptoms of varicose veins, contact us today.
Our Approach to Treatment
Stage 1
Treatment of large malfunctioning veins (trunk)
Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLA) to great, small, and/or anterior accessory saphenous veins. 60 minutes
Stage 2
Treatment of large varicose veins (branches)
Phlebectomy removal of larger bulging varicose veins 90-120 minutescombined with
Ultrasound-Guided Foam Sclerotherapy (UGFS) on smaller veins. 30 minutes
Stage 2
Treatment of small varicose veins (branches) if required
Extra sessions of UGFS to close smaller veins if identified as required at post-treatment follow-up scan 30 minutes
You may not require this stage.
Stage 3
Optional treatment surface veins (leaves)
Usually done by Microsclerotherapy 30 minutes
Most patients require multiple treatment sessions to remove spider veins.
Stage 4
Follow up and maintenance to ensure best results
Our Minimally Invasive
Treatments
Meet Your Vein Specialist
Dr Luke Matar MBBS, FRANZCR, FACP
Dr Luke Matar is the only Australian doctor to have been personally trained by the inventor of laser perforator vein ablation, the world-renowned UK-based EVLA expert Professor Mark Whiteley. This advantage positions him as the clear choice for your laser treatment for varicose veins. Having suffered the discomfort experienced from venous insufficiency personally, Dr Matar is uniquely sympathetic to his patients. This has influenced his commitment to providing world-class non-surgical varicose vein treatments. For Dr Matar, it’s all about great results from minimal pain using leading technologies that minimise recovery time and post-treatment discomfort.
Meet Dr Luke MatarExperiencing Other Symptoms?
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I have varicose veins?
Most varicose vein issues are hereditary. If you have one parent with varicose veins your risk of having them is around 65%. If both parents are affected the risk rises to approximately 90%. Another main risk factor for women is pregnancy, with the risk increasing with each additional pregnancy. Standing occupations such as hairdressers, nurses, and chefs also have a high risk of varicose veins as gravity puts pressure on the veins and weakens them.
How do I prevent varicose veins?
Once varicose veins are present, they will not resolve of their own accord. Measures to reduce the rate of progression include maintaining a normal healthy weight and going for regular walks of 20-30 minutes per day. Reducing the length of time spent on the feet in a stationary position may help and alternating between standing and sitting positions during the day will also reduce the pressure on the veins.
What will happen if I don’t treat these veins?
Generally, without treatment, varicose veins will get progressively worse over time. Symptoms may occur such as heaviness, ache, pain, and tiredness in the legs towards the end of the day. Further progression may result in leg swelling, itch, skin discolouration, and eventual skin ulceration. Blood clots related to superficial venous thrombosis may also occur in severe cases and can lead to the more serious condition of Deep Vein Thrombosis.
What treatment options exist?
Outdated, old-fashioned options such as surgical stripping are rapidly becoming obsolete due to poor long-term success, with recurrence rates of up to 50%. Modern treatment options include endovenous laser ablation, sclerotherapy injections, and ultrasound-guided ambulatory phlebectomy. In many cases a combination of different treatments will give the best long-term results.
Will the veins come back after treatment?
Many people are concerned that the treatment will be of limited value because the veins will just come back. This was certainly the case in the days of surgical stripping with a 50% recurrence rate at 5 years; however, using the latest minimally invasive techniques, we can reduce the risk of recurrent varicose veins to the baseline risk of approximately 3% per year.
What is the downtime following treatment?
This depends on the type of procedure performed and the severity of the veins being treated. Modern treatment with laser can involve no time off work and approximately two weeks off heavy gym work and four weeks off international travel.
Read More on Our Blog
5 Ways to Prepare for Your Vein Procedures
1. Get to know and love your stockings! We strongly recommend you buy your compression stockings well ahead of your […]
Read More
Don’t Be Fooled By Winter!
Cold weather constricts the veins and can make you feel “less symptomatic” – ie. the bothersome ache, pain, itch, heaviness, or tiredness in your legs could be less of an issue, or perhaps go away entirely.
Read More
Do I Need Varicose Vein Treatment?
Suffering from varicose veins? For too long patients have been told that treatment for varicose veins is “cosmetic only” and […]
Read MoreGet In Touch
Please send us an email and we’ll be in contact very soon or alternatively, call us on (08) 9200 3450.
If you are unsure of what vein condition you may have, assess your legs with our online tool.
If you are looking for cosmetic spider vein treatment only, please click here.