In the past varicose veins were thought of as only cosmetic. We now know that they are symptomatic of an underlying venous problem that may lead to more serious conditions.
The chronically raised pressure in the malfunctioning venous system can frequently lead to problems such as ankle swelling and a feeling of fullness around the ankle when standing. In some people the skin around the ankle may shrink (lipodermatosclerosis), because the fat underneath the skin becomes hard. It can also lead to deep vein thrombosis, thrombophlebitis (a blood clot that causes pain and swelling around the affected area), discomfort in the calves at night, venous eczema, brown staining of the skin, and even leg ulcers.