What are Varicose Veins
Varicose veins usually are the result of a breakdown of the Great Saphenous Vein, an internal vein on the inside of the thigh. The great saphenous vein is only visible with an ultrasound test, therefore, all patients with bulging varicose veins need ultrasound testing prior to treatment.
What Causes Varicose Veins
The breakdown of saphenous vein one-way valves causes leakage of blood in the wrong direction. Blood leaks from the thigh into the calf and pools inside the calf veins. This pooling of pressurized blood causes veins to stretch, bulge, and become varicose. If left untreated, varicose veins can lead to dangerous blood clots or large ulcers inside of the ankle. Veins are intended to have one-way valves so blood can return “uphill” to the heart. When valves break down, the pressure of gravity distends and stretches vein branches. Remember that bad veins create more bad veins in a cascading effect.
Do I Need These Veins
- No, neither the saphenous veins, the perforators nor the varicose veins themselves are essential. In fact, since diseased veins have abnormal direction flow, they are actually detrimental to your circulation.
- An important step in advanced vein management is to carefully identify with ultrasound the faulty veins that contribute to the problem. Normal veins are never treated or removed.
Varicose Vein Treatments
Thanks to endovenous technology, both the saphenous vein and the varicose bulges are easily treated in the office with local anesthesia. Because varicose veins are a medical problem that can lead to complications if left untreated, the treatments are covered by most insurance carriers.
Do I need Treatment on My Varicose Veins?
Without treatment varicose veins always progress. Remember that gravity will always win! Larger and longer varicose veins are harder to treat and are associated with worse symptoms. The “end stage” of untreated varicose veins are chronically swollen legs with brown / purple discoloration (stasis dermatitis). This unhealthy skin will break down and form chronic, draining ulcers at the ankle (stasis ulcers).
