What are Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are distended branches of the major veins in the leg. They become distended due to failure of the valve s in the main veins which allows blood to fall back down the leg (reflux).  Venous reflux is the major cause of most venous diseases and is almost always the cause of varicose veins.




Varicose veins develop in the superficial veins of the leg and mainly affect the great saphenous vein although it is not uncommon for the small saphenous vein to be involved.

As the vein dilates the wall stretches in both width and length so that the vein becomes tortuous.

As the situation gets worse the veins become so dilated that large sacs form at the bends and the vein takes on a snake–like twisted effect.

Areas of stagnation occur where the bends are so extreme that blood does not  flow around them fully.

Rather than a fast flowing ‘river’, the vein will sometimes thrombose, leading to inflammation of the vein called superficial thhrombophlebitis.

Venous ulcers will continue to recur unless the underlying varicose veins are treated. Some people suffer only cosmetically, but very often people will complain of aching legs, particularly at the end of the day.