| ose veins are caused by the failure of valves in | | | | Staging Varicose Veins |
| the veins which are responsible for ensuring that | | | | Varicose veins are “staged”, i.e. |
| blood only flows in one direction around the body. | | | | the surgeon will assess what stage the condition |
| They frequently appear close to the surface on | | | | has reached and use the staging assessment as |
| the back of the legs, because these veins | | | | the basis for delivering medical therapy to the |
| experience particularly high pressure blood flow as | | | | patient. |
| the blood must flow back up to the heart against | | | | The stages are: |
| gravity. Fortunately, varicose veins are rarely a | | | | C0 – no visible signs of the condition; |
| serious medical condition but they are unsightly | | | | C1 – appearance of spider veins (reticular |
| and they can be painful which mandates | | | | or telangectasia); |
| treatment to alleviate the condition. | | | | C2 – varicose veins are evident; |
| Symptoms of Varicose Veins | | | | C3 – edema is present; |
| Symptoms include aching legs, frequently | | | | C4a – skin changes in pigmentation or |
| accompanied by a feeling of heaviness and | | | | presence of eczema; |
| typically, this is felt most acutely at night or after | | | | C4b – advanced skin changes – e.g. |
| exercising. There may also be a visual reference | | | | atrophie blanche; |
| in the form of “spider veins” which | | | | C5 - the same as C4 but with healed ulcers; and |
| show through to the surface as the veins | | | | C6 – presence of active ulcers. |
| become twisted and distorted due to losing | | | | Varicose Vein Complications |
| structural integrity and becoming weaker. | | | | Varicose veins are most frequently benign, |
| As the valves weaken, effective circulation | | | | however there are complications which may arise |
| becomes problematical and so issues with blood | | | | as a consequence of leaving the condition |
| pooling in the lower extremities becomes an issue. | | | | untreated. The major issue is in connection with |
| This leads to swollen ankles and possibly lower | | | | the poor circulation of blood through the body, |
| legs which become enlarged due to blood pooling | | | | particularly the lower limbs and extremities. This |
| there. | | | | leads directly and indirectly to pain, inability to walk |
| The skin may become discolored and adopt a | | | | properly, difficulty in standing (and thus an inability |
| bruised look with a bluish/brown tinge close to the | | | | to perform work) as well as a host of unpleasant |
| affected veins. In addition, the area may become | | | | skin conditions including dermatitis and eczema. |
| itchy and dry, which if may lead to excessive | | | | Ulcers can be particularly serious, as well as |
| scratching by the patient and in turn lead to | | | | painful, and it is important that these are treated |
| ulceration which can be extremely painful. In | | | | both for their immediate presentation of |
| addition, irritation builds up due to the collection of | | | | symptoms as well as the underlying cause to |
| waste products which would normally be | | | | prevent recurrence. There is some evidence that |
| removed by the proper blood circulation. | | | | untreated varicose veins may contribute to an |
| The patient may also experience cramps after | | | | increase in malignant growths (cancer) where |
| sitting still and making an effort to get up or | | | | ulcers are present. |
| engaging in sudden movement. In addition, cuts | | | | Inability of the skin to heal and stop excessive |
| and scrapes to the area may also need a much | | | | bleeding is also an issue, particularly amongst |
| longer period to heal and they may bleed | | | | elderly patients. Clotting is also an issue for |
| excessively. | | | | sufferers of all ages, especially if the affected |
| In extreme cases, the fat around the ankle may | | | | veins are the deep veins, i.e. those situated deep |
| become hardened and this causes the skin to | | | | within the legs and not close to the surface |
| shrink and shrivel. In addition, white patches may | | | | (which is what we typically can see). This clotting |
| occur around the ankles which resemble scar | | | | can lead to cardiac and stroke incidents which |
| tissue which is known as atrophie blanche. | | | | may be fatal. |