Overview

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Varicose Veins are large dilated superficial veins that are most often quite tortuous. They appear when deoxygenated blood flows backwards due to an important venous insufficiency. Indeed, when valvules in the veins become damaged and the lining of the vein lost its shape, the venous system becomes dysfunctionnal and muscle pumps are incapable of efficiently pushing the blood back to the heart.
Consequently, the blood flows backwards towards the lower limbs and this blood stasis damages further the remaining valvules. Varicose veins are risk factor of thrombophlebitis and with time, can cause chronic skin changes (stasis dermatitis), swelling  (peripheral oedema), and pain, cramps or heavyness in the lower limbs.
Patients are not only embarrassed by the tortuous, bluish aspect of the varicose veins, but are also suffering from:
   • discomfort
   • heavyness
   • Pain
   • Peripheral oedema

Varicose veins are the sign of an underlying chronic venous disease that needs to be adressed. Chronic Venous disease is a progressive condition that will cause irreversible damages such as skin hyperpigmentation and stasis dermatitis and will facilitate the development of tenous venous ulcers that are difficult to treat.
If varicose veins remain untreated, they will increase the risk of suffering from thrombophlebitis (blood clot blocking the vein), a painful condition with long term consequences.

Risk Factors:
   • age
   • sex (F 2-3X > H)  
   • obesity
   • pregnancy
   • inactivity
   • profession
   • Family history

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