VARICOSE VEINS

Varicose veins or varices are enlarged and winding veins. The term varicose vein (-disease) usually refers to the veins in the lower limbs, but can also, albeit much less frequently, occur in other places. Inside each vein, one-way valves prevent the blood, which has arrived in the leg through the arteries and must return to the heart through the vein, from flowing back down under the influence of gravity. When these valves no longer work as they should, the arterial wall weakens and expands. The good news is that almost always only the superficial vein system is affected by this varicose vein- disease, accounting for about 10% of the back flow of the blood. The rest of the back flow of the blood returns to the main arteries inside the limb.

If these superficial veins do not work properly, they can be removed or closed without serious damage (see below). It is very important to have an annual check-up after varicose vein treatment: family predisposition or hereditary predisposition is the main reason for your problem. In case you develop a new varicose vein somewhere, this will certainly be detected during an annual check-up, and there are other methods than the surgical one to treat a new varicose vein at this initial stage. This is almost always possible on an out-patient basis at the consultation.

Varicose veins are most common in the superficial veins of the lower limbs (vena saphena magna, vena saphena parva), which come under high pressure when we stand up. They can also, but much less frequently, occur in other places, such as chest, arms, face (rosacea).

Externally this presents itself as a winding, bumpy line at the skin level.

Smaller veins can also become varicose, which is referred to as reticular varices (spiders, jumping veins) which we see as aesthetically bothersome pink to blue branched lines on the leg. Larger and smaller varicose veins often occur together but can exist separately.

In addition to aesthetic problems, varicose veins can also be painful, especially when standing or walking for long periods of time. They can be the cause of fluid accumulation at the ankles, lower legs and feet (oedema), nocturnal muscle cramps, restless legs. Varicose veins can already be present with symptoms at an early stage, before externally important abnormalities can be observed with the eye. Varicose veins rarely give rise to serious complications, although a complication is still often the first symptom of varicose vein disease today, which brings the patient to the doctor.

Very often the diagnosis can already be made through clinical examination. With a treatment, it is important to know where a varicose vein begins, usually at the groin fold or knee fold, or sometimes in other places. For varicose vein treatment to be successful, a colour duplex examination (ultrasound, completely painless examination) of the main veins and superficial veins is performed in addition to the clinical examination. Because of this we can perfectly determine where the varicose vein has its origin. After a few measurements, we immediately know what the treatment options are.

Complaints caused by problems with the main arteries inside the limb can often be resolved in a non-surgical way. Your specialist will advise you to wear certain compression stockings, take medication to strengthen the arteries and sometimes physiotherapy is suggested.

The complaints caused by poorly functioning superficial veins can also be improved by these treatments but of course the varicose vein problem itself is not solved. This treatment method is an option for patients who for some reason can no longer be treated surgically for varicose vein disease (too old, heavy blood thinning medication...).