Varicose veins

Question 1

Causes

Answer 1

Pregnancy

Incompetent valves

Idiopathic

Occupational

Question 2

What are they?

Answer 2

Tortuous dilated segments of vein

Question 3

Clinical Features

Answer 3

Cosmetically unappealing dilated superficial leg veins

Heavy / dragging sensation in the legs

Muscle cramps

Question 4

Complications

Answer 4

Bleeding

Thrombophlebitis

DVT

Question 5

Investigations

Answer 5

Duplex/ Doppler ultrasound

Question 6

Management

Answer 6

CONSERVATIVE:

• modify lifestyle factors
• compression stockings (do ABPI first to make sure you’re not making arterial issue worse)
• mobilising
• raising legs

SURGERY:

• Endothermal ablation (a catheter is inserted into the vein and radiowaves are used to heat the vein and make it permanently collapse)
• Foam Sclerotherapy (an injection into the vein causes it to permanently collapse)
• Stripping (veins are pulled out of the leg)