Leaky valves, particularly at the groin and behind the knee, are a leading cause of varicose veins. These unsightly and sometimes painful veins are often overlooked despite their potential to indicate more serious underlying health issues. Understanding their origin and effects is crucial for effective treatment and prevention.
At Vein Care, we provide non-surgical, minimally invasive treatments in Melbourne that allow you to alleviate leaky valve and varicose vein symptoms associated with varicose veins. Below we take an in-depth look at the causes and symptoms of leaky valve and varicose veins, along with the different treatments available.
Causes of Varicose Veins
Varicose veins appear as swollen, twisted veins visible just under the skin and appear most commonly in the legs. Being both a cosmetic and health problem, the condition can occur when certain veins weaken or become dysfunctional.
This means they can no longer pump blood effectively back towards the heart, instead pooling in the vein, causing that bulged appearance. Leaky valves, particularly those found at the groin and behind the knee, are common culprits for this inability to circulate blood effectively.
Great Saphenous Vein
The great saphenous vein is the longest vein in the human body, which spans its length from the top of the foot up to the groin. It is responsible for returning blood from the superficial tissues in the lower extremities back to the heart, allowing blood to be oxygenated.
It has been widely known for its great importance for coronary bypass surgery, but other than that it plays a major role for venous return. The venous valves found at the groin are what keeps the blood flowing back up, antagonizing gravity, and preventing backflow. When it malfunctions, it results in blood accumulation somewhere in the thighs, causing bulging veins and pain at times.
Popliteal Vein
The popliteal vein is found at the back side of the knee and is responsible for carrying blood back to the heart. It is also responsible for supporting the knee joint as well as the calf and thigh muscles. There are venous valves found behind the knee as well. It works in conjunction with the femoral vein, the larger network of veins that bring deoxygenated blood back up to the heart.
When Valves Fail
When either the valves at the groin or behind the knee fail, they cause backflow of blood, overloading the veins they regulate. As a result, it collects and pushes the venous walls, and that’s when we see varicose veins. There are various reasons why these valves weaken, including:
- Family history of genetic vein issues
- Older age
- Working jobs where you sit or stand for long periods of time
- Living a sedentary lifestyle
- Excess weight, adding extra pressure on the circulatory system
- Smoking and poor nutrition
- Hormonal changes such as menopause
- Pregnancy, which increases blood volume and adds physical strain to the lower half of your body.
Symptoms of Varicose Veins
While they vary from person to person, some common symptoms of varicose veins include:
- The appearance of bulging blue or dark purple coloured veins
- Prominent veins that are twisted, knotty or swollen in appearance
- Chronic aching pain in veins
- Leg heaviness and soreness in legs
- Vein swelling
- Burning sensations
- Throbbing
- Muscle cramping around affected veins
- Pain that increases after long periods of sitting or standing
- Redness, discolouration and/or itching around prominent veins
In severe cases, symptoms can escalate, leading to skin changes, varicose vein ulcers and blood clots. Varicose vein symptoms can also be worse at the end of the day or after long periods of sitting or standing in one place.
Prevention of Varicose Veins
If you have a higher risk of developing varicose veins due to a family history of genetic vein issues, age, pregnancy, occupation or other factors, there are a few steps you can take to reduce the risk. Preventative measures include:
- Keeping active, aiming for 30 minutes of strenuous exercise per day
- Avoiding extended periods of standing and sitting where possible
- Improving nutrition to boost circulatory health
- Lowering body weight to reduce pressure to veins in your lower body
- Elevating your legs above your hips while sitting to improve blood flow
- Drinking plenty of water every day for healthy blood flow
- Not smoking to avoid vascular narrowing and hardening
- Avoiding clothes that are tight around your waist and groin
- Avoiding high heels, which reduces blood flow in your legs.
By staying aware of the risk factors like the link between obesity and varicose veins, you can address them in your life where you can and lower the chance of leaky valves and vein conditions.
Treatment of Varicose Veins
Appropriate treatment for varicose veins largely depends on the symptoms you’re experiencing, the severity of the condition and your personal priorities. For some people, varicose veins are a cosmetic issue while others experience painful symptoms. Modern treatments make treating varicose veins easier than ever, with a number of quick, non-surgical, minimally-invasive procedures available.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is an injection-based treatment that utilises a special solution to collapse the varicose vein before it is absorbed naturally by your immune system. It’s a quick and simple treatment using a special solution.
Ultrasound-guided Sclerotherapy
Using the same solution-based injection method as the last treatment, ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy boosts the accuracy of treatment by using ultrasound to pinpoint each injection site.
After Sclerotherapy
Post-procedure, patients should wear compression stockings, avoid strenuous activities for a couple of days and monitor for any side effects such as bruising or redness. These treatments are quick, same-day outpatient procedures that can be completed within as little as half an hour depending on the number of veins being treated.
These procedures are all done under local anaesthetic and you can return to most regular activities straight away. Full results are usually visible in 2 to 6 weeks. Your vein doctor will also arrange a follow up appointment to check the procedure was a success and decide whether you need any more treatments.
Side Effects of Sclerotherapy
These treatments have minimal side effects. Some patients may experience mild bruising, redness, swelling, skin discoloration and temporary discomfort at the injection site. These side effects should go away within a couple of days.
Surgery for Varicose Veins
In cases where sclerotherapy or other treatments are ineffective, surgical options may be considered. The most common varicose vein surgery is surgical stripping, which involves removing the entire affected vein from the area. At Vein Care, one alternative we offer is ambulatory phlebectomy.
This is typically used to target severe, visibly bulging varicose veins and involves pulling them out with a special medical hook through tiny incisions. Unlike traditional surgical stripping, this treatment is still minimally-invasive with the incisions being so small that you don’t need stitches, with steristrips instead being used to close the incision sites.
Medical Issues Before Varicose Vein Surgery
Patients should discuss their full medical history with their doctor to assess the best surgical approach. Ambulatory phlebectomy is not suitable for every patient, particularly those who cannot walk on their own. It is also important to be aware that no treatment is a foolproof cure. Varicose veins can be a chronic condition prone to recurrence, particularly when related to leaky valve issues.
Immediately After Varicose Vein Surgery
Patients may experience swelling, bruising, numbness and discomfort, which can be managed with prescribed medications and compression garments. Steristrips are removed one week after the ambulatory phlebectomy procedure with any scarring being unnoticeable or very minimal.
Side Effects of Varicose Vein Surgery
Some patients can experience mild nerve pain after varicose vein surgery, however, these side effects will most often go away on their own. Ensure you monitor symptoms such as numbness, leg heaviness, aching pain in veins and tingling in the extremities.
Complications of Varicose Vein Surgery
Though rare, complications such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can occur and require prompt medical attention. Early diagnosis and tailored treatment plans can help avert other complications including stains, dermatitis, thrombophlebitis and varicose vein ulcers.
Self-Care at Home After Varicose Vein Surgery
Recovery includes rest, leg elevation, wearing compression stockings, and gradually resuming normal activities as advised by the healthcare provider. It’s typically recommended to avoid strenuous activity like running or weight lifting for at least a week.
Long-Term Outlook After Varicose Vein Surgery
With proper care and lifestyle adjustments, patients can expect significant improvement in symptoms and vein appearance. Recurrence can be avoided by managing the link between obesity and varicose veins along with other triggers like prolonged periods of sitting or standing.
Other Forms of Treatment for Varicose Veins
In addition to surgery and sclerotherapy, other alternative treatments include:
- Endovenous laser therapy – This advanced laser procedure heats the varicose vein in order to gently shrink and close it. Like sclerotherapy, this results in the vein collapsing and being absorbed by the body.
- Cyanoacrylate vein glue – This involves injecting tiny amounts of specialised, medical-grade super glue with ultrasound guidance. This results in the vein sealing off and preventing blood pooling.
When to See a Doctor
Whether you’ve had treatment already or are considering it, ensure you monitor your varicose veins symptoms. Consult a healthcare provider if you start experiencing severe pain, swelling, or significant changes in skin colour around the varicose veins.
Enquire Today About Varicose Vein Treatments in Melbourne
Explore our range of treatments available to address varicose veins at Vein Care in Melbourne. Whether sclerotherapy or ambulatory phlebectomy is best for your needs, our specialist vein doctor will work to find a tailored treatment plan that suits your unique needs.
Make an appointment today by calling us on 1300 730 100 or contact us online.