Thread Veins Legs

Thread veins in the leg are commonly called spider veins, broken veins or surface veins. They are not varicose veins although around 50% of people with leg thread veins also have underlying varicose veins.



Even for leg thread veins, a venous duplex ultrasound should be conducted prior to treatment to ensure there is no leg pump failure underlying the thread vein condition. Thread veins themselves  are not a health risk and are predominantly of cosmetic concern only.

About 50% of women have thread veins and they worsen with age. There is little statistical evidence for the incidence in men, but given the reduced likelihood of men seeking help, and population surveys with varicose veins, it is likely to have a similar presence in men (although more and more men are now taking more notice of their appearance and therefore evidence will accumulate).