Varicose Vein Treatment in Umhlanga & Durban

Our Umhlanga vein centre provides specialist assessment and minimally invasive treatment for varicose veins, spider veins and other venous conditions. Located at Medigate in Umhlanga, near Gateway, the centre serves patients from Durban, Ballito, Westville, Pinetown and across KwaZulu-Natal.

Consultations, duplex ultrasound assessments and procedures are performed by Dr Johan Blignaut and the Vein Centres clinical team. Treatment is by radiofrequency ablation, endovenous laser ablation and ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy, carried out under local anaesthetic in our own office operating room — no hospital admission, no general anaesthetic, and you walk out afterwards.

This was the first dedicated vein centre we opened, in 2013, and it remains our KwaZulu-Natal base.

Areas we serve in KwaZulu-Natal

Medigate is close to Gateway in Umhlanga Ridge, which makes the centre easy to reach from across the greater Durban area. Patients travel to us from:

If you are travelling a distance, tell us when you book. We can often arrange your consultation, duplex scan and treatment planning in a single visit rather than asking you to return.

Treatments available at our Umhlanga centre

The Umhlanga centre offers the full range of treatments available at our other vein centres.

Radiofrequency ablation is our most commonly used treatment for varicose veins caused by superficial truncal reflux. A catheter is passed inside the faulty vein and heat seals it closed. The procedure takes 20 to 40 minutes under local anaesthetic.

Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) works on the same principle using laser energy, and is used where the vein anatomy makes it the better choice.

Ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy treats tortuous varicose veins and veins that have returned after previous surgery.

Cosmetic sclerotherapy for spider veins and thread veins is performed by our registered nurse sclerotherapists.

Venous leg ulcer management, including treatment of the underlying reflux alongside compression and wound care.

We also assess deep vein thrombosis, superficial thrombophlebitis, recurrent veins after previous surgery and varicose veins following pregnancy.

What to expect at your first visit

Every new patient has a consultation and a duplex ultrasound scan of both legs before any treatment is planned. The scan is painless, involves no needles and no radiation, and maps the venous anatomy and identifies the location and extent of any reflux. Varicose veins cannot be assessed reliably by appearance alone, which is why we scan everyone.

Your assessment is performed by Dr Johan Blignaut and includes duplex mapping before treatment is recommended. Treatment is selected according to your venous anatomy, not simply according to the veins visible on the skin.

Dr Blignaut then discusses the findings, explains which treatments suit your anatomy, and provides a written estimate. Where your medical scheme requires authorisation, we submit that on your behalf.

Please allow about an hour for a first visit, and bring your medical scheme details and any previous scan reports or operation notes. If you are unsure whether you need to be seen, our free online vein screening takes under five minutes.

Umhlanga patient experiences

‘From the initial consult, the actual procedure and the follow-up appointment, I have been very impressed by the calm professional approach and medical information provided. The whole process was a lot more seamless and much easier than I anticipated and has achieved great result. Thank you from a happy patient.’

‘I highly recommend this non invasive vein procedure! It has changed my life significantly. Thank you Dr Johan Blignaut and team.’

Genuine reviews left by patients on Google. * Individual results may vary. Read all our Umhlanga reviews on Google.

Recovery

Endovenous treatment is a walk-in, walk-out procedure. If no sedation was used you may drive yourself home. The bandage comes off after 24 hours and a compression stocking is worn thereafter.

Walking is encouraged from the outset and helps reduce the risk of clot formation. Avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting and hot baths for about a week. Most patients resume normal daily activities within a day or two. Bruising and a tight, cord-like sensation along the treated vein are common for the first two weeks and settle on their own. * Individual results may vary.

Medical scheme funding

Funding depends on your medical scheme, your benefit option, the clinical indication for treatment, the procedure performed and your scheme’s authorisation requirements. Because these vary between patients and change from year to year, we confirm your individual benefits before your procedure rather than relying on general guidance.

Because treatment is performed in our rooms rather than in theatre, there is no hospital admission fee, no theatre time billed by the minute and no anaesthetist account. We submit the authorisation request to your scheme on your behalf, and provide a written estimate after your consultation and scan. See our medical schemes and pricing page for how the process works.

Our clinical approach

A dedicated venous practice. Dr Blignaut's practice is focused on the assessment and treatment of venous disease.

Duplex assessment before treatment. Every patient has a duplex ultrasound scan of both legs before a treatment plan is made, so that the sources of reflux are identified rather than only the veins visible on the surface.

Office-based minimally invasive procedures. Treatment is performed in our own office operating room under local anaesthetic, without hospital admission or general anaesthetic.

Three treatment locations. The Umhlanga centre offers the same treatments, protocols and equipment as our Fourways and Somerset West centres.

Visiting our Umhlanga centre

Address: Suite 14, Medigate No 2, Medigate Road, Umhlanga, 4321.

Appointments: 031 566-3960. Ask for Louisa.

Email: reception@veinsurgery.co.za

Your team at this centre: Ms Louisa Human (reception) and Sr Debra Baney (clinical nurse), together with Dr Blignaut.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 16:00. Procedures are performed on Mondays.

Parking and access: Parking is available at no charge on site. Our rooms are on the first floor at Medigate, accessed by stairs.

We are conveniently located near Gateway in Umhlanga Ridge. Please allow about an hour for a first visit, and a few extra minutes to park and find the suite. Directions are available from the map above.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a referral from my GP? No. You can book directly. We are happy to work with your GP and will send them a report if you would like us to.

Is duplex ultrasound performed at the Umhlanga centre? Yes. Every new patient has a duplex scan of both legs here at the centre before any treatment is planned. You are not sent elsewhere for imaging.

Where do I park? Parking is available at no charge on site. Our rooms are on the first floor at Medigate, accessed by stairs.

Can my consultation and my procedure both be done in Umhlanga? Yes. Consultation, scanning and treatment all take place at this centre, in our own office operating room.

Do you treat patients from Ballito and Pietermaritzburg? Yes. Patients travel to us from across KwaZulu-Natal. If you are travelling a distance, tell us when you book and we can often combine your consultation, scan and treatment planning into one visit.

Can you obtain medical scheme authorisation for me? Yes. We submit the authorisation request to your scheme on your behalf and provide a written estimate after your consultation and scan.

How long does treatment take? Radiofrequency ablation takes 20 to 40 minutes. Allow about an hour for a first visit, which includes the consultation and duplex scan.

Request an Umhlanga appointment