Varicose Veins
What it is?
Varicose veins are dilated and tortuous superficial (just under the skin) veins of the legs. They are very common in both men and women.
What are the symptoms?
Varicose veins can span a spectrum from a benign cosmetic blemish to more advanced forms with a risk of complications. Minor spider and reticular veins generally do not cause any symptoms apart from being unsightly. Larger veins can cause aching and swelling of legs, restless legs, skin discoloration, bleeding from minor trauma, eczema and ulceration. Sudden pain, redness and hardening of a varicose vein can be due to blood clotting within the vein.
How is it diagnosed?
The diagnosis can be made on physical examination. Early forms of varicose veins generally do not require any additional scans. More advanced forms require ultrasound scans to assess the extent and severity and also to guide treatment.
How is it treated?
Early forms of varicose veins do not require surgical treatment. If there are no cosmetic concerns, they can be left well alone. If treatment is required, sclerotherapy which consists of injecting a scarring agent into the vein, can be considered. More advanced forms of varicose veins with or without complications can be managed with compression stockings or surgical intervention. Surgical options are either a conventional "stripping" operation or minimally invasive options such as laser or radio-frequency ablation.
Varicose veins are dilated and tortuous superficial (just under the skin) veins of the legs. They are very common in both men and women.
What are the symptoms?
Varicose veins can span a spectrum from a benign cosmetic blemish to more advanced forms with a risk of complications. Minor spider and reticular veins generally do not cause any symptoms apart from being unsightly. Larger veins can cause aching and swelling of legs, restless legs, skin discoloration, bleeding from minor trauma, eczema and ulceration. Sudden pain, redness and hardening of a varicose vein can be due to blood clotting within the vein.
How is it diagnosed?
The diagnosis can be made on physical examination. Early forms of varicose veins generally do not require any additional scans. More advanced forms require ultrasound scans to assess the extent and severity and also to guide treatment.
How is it treated?
Early forms of varicose veins do not require surgical treatment. If there are no cosmetic concerns, they can be left well alone. If treatment is required, sclerotherapy which consists of injecting a scarring agent into the vein, can be considered. More advanced forms of varicose veins with or without complications can be managed with compression stockings or surgical intervention. Surgical options are either a conventional "stripping" operation or minimally invasive options such as laser or radio-frequency ablation.