Varicose Veins

Varicose veins develop in the superficial veins of the leg and mainly affect the long saphenous vein although it is not uncommon for the short saphenous vein to be involved and indeed other major tributaries nearly always are if these two vessels are affected.

Varicose veins are higgledy-piggledy, dilated veins whose valves have failed allowing increasing amounts of blood to reflux the wrong way down the limb.

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

(B) As the situation gets worse the veins become so dilated that large sacs form at the bends.

(C) Turbulent flow occurs with areas of stagnation like extreme bends in an otherwise fast running river.

(D) The vein can sometimes thrombose leading to inflammation called superficial thrombophlebitis (which is a fancy Latin way of saying 'inflamed vein').

In most cases the veins just become increasingly unsightly. Some people get no other problems apart from the cosmetic appearance but there are many who complain of aching particularly towards the end of the day. Veins, like arteries are made of a special type of muscle called smooth muscle which is responsible for keeping the tension in the blood vessel. It is believed that it is the stretching of this muscle coat in varicose veins that accounts for the painful symptoms.

HOWEVER - Some women - usually after childbirth - develop Vulval Varicose Veins, or Varicose Veins on the inner aspects of their legs. This is a very different condition coming from the Pelvic or Ovarian Veins. These can now be treated by Embolisation. Please see www.vulval-varicose-veins.co.uk.