Info / FAQ / What are varicose veins?

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins represent a problem in the venous system. They are enlarged, swollen and bulged veins. Affected veins become bluish or purple in colour. This condition affects 70% of all men and 50% of all women. Occurrence rate grows with age. It is linked to heredity as it is basically a hereditary dysfunction of collagen that forms the structure of veins.  Veins have leaflet valves that prevent blood from flowing backwards. When veins are varicose, they work improperly causing blood clotting and increased vein pressure. Varicose veins lead to leg swelling and further enlargement of veins.

Prevention is a mission impossible as varicose veins are genetically predisposed. As soon as first symptoms like aching or sore legs occur the treatment should commence. Varicose veins are a major aesthetics issue, but they may also cause more serious condition, for instance: lymphatic insufficiency, vein insufficiency, skin disease and ankle ulcers. A timely treatment of your veins will ensure best results and you will benefit from both aesthetic and health effect of the surgery. Delaying the surgery will do you no good.

Information and appointments

One Day Surgery Centre Hradec Králové
recepce@1chirurgie.cz / +420 495 269 768 (weekdays 10 a.m.-3 p.m)
Štefánikova 454/28a, 500 11 Hradec Králové (Hvězda Complex)

About varicose veins – frequently asked questions

What are the risks of varicose veins?

The main factors contributing to varicose veins include obesity and general lack of physical activity and sitting and standing for long periods of time. Furthermore, sitting with your legs crossed is a bad habit and is one of the risk factors too. Other risk factors include pregnancy, higher age, being female, family problems, obesity and constipation.

Varicose veins appear as violet or blue veins under the skin. When slightly touched, you feel pain. The condition gets worse when the weather is warm or during women’s period. Sometimes, you may feel the veins as they are bulged, and they may be hidden completely under the skin surface. The varicose veins come with a variety of symptoms. You will experience achy or heavy legs. Your legs will feel tight and weak. Your legs will be swollen after standing for a long time or after a full day’s work.

Most often, inflammation of the veins can develop, and the veins are bulged. A more serious problem is a venous (varicose)ulcer that is usually result of varicose veins that have been untreated. It is an open leg wound that most often happens around the ankle. Lastly, deep vein thrombosis may develop as a result of varicose veins. A blood clot is formed where the blood flow is malfunctioning or its speed is too slow.

Currently, modern birth control pills with hormones contain either a low amount of estrogen or none at all, minimizing the risk of vein thrombosis. We do suggest that you consult your gynecologist as there are many types of hormone-based contraceptives available.

Varicose veins will not go away unless you have either surgical or nonsurgical treatment. The veins will deteriorate progressively. Conservative treatment is an option that will only produce minor improvement, compared to surgical procedures. At early stages, conservative treatment helps alleviate the symptoms, but the cause of the problem remains. Conservative treatment involves wearing compression stockings and taking medicine. It should be reiterated that such treatment alleviates the symptoms and the condition ceases to grow. Pharmacological medication incudes ointments, gels or pill that have local applications. You can wear either a compression stocking or a hose.

 The time varies from person to person and the doctor decides on the surgery on a patient to patient basis. When more serious symptoms or complications appear, surgery should not be delayed. Your doctor will consider all factors carefully to decide on the best type of surgery.

If the leg is compressed, the enlarged veins are contracted, eliminating the detrimental effect of varicose veins. To some extent, the condition does not get worse. For normal use, it is recommended to wear compression stockings. They come in several grades that depend on the level of compression: Everyday compression stockings: over the counter, great for long travel, help prevent varicose veins will also help with mild varicose veins(Type I), Medical Grade Class I: available over the counter in pharmacies and medical supplies outlets, great for conservative treatment of varicose veins; Medical Grade Class II: prescription only, suitable for more severe varicose veins(type II, III) after conservative treatment and surgical interventions, can be worn in combination with elastic bandage or wrap; Medical Grade Class III: used for severe cases of chronic venous insufficiency with major swelling, used for post-thrombotic syndrome treatment; Medical Grade Class IV: used for lymphedema treatment. The level of compression of Grade III and IV is so high that only a doctor can help the patient put the stocking on. Depending on your situation, your doctor will choose the right type of stocking and level of compression

Most patients undergo in-office treatment and they receive general or local anesthesia that is often supplemented by a combination of anesthesia and sedation. Two hours after the surgery, the patient may walk out of the office and travel home safely. At home, clients may walk around wearing compressive stocking. Such procedures, when properly performed, have much lower complications rate that those performed at hospitals.

Endovenous laser varicose veins surgery uses heat from the laser (approx. 800°C) whereas radiofrequency ablation surgery uses technology that operates at 80-100°C. Laser surgery poses a much higher risk of thermal damage to adjacent tissue-nerves, muscles, veins etc.  Instead, our centre specializes in minimally invasive procedures for varicose veins treatment. They include radiofrequency ablation (Olympus Celon technology) and Clarivein, which is chemically assisted mechanical ablation of varicose veins, presenting the latest advance in varicose veins surgery. Both procedures are gentle, safe and efficient. These procedures require either a combination of local anesthetics and sedation or patient friendly general anesthesia and they are performed as outpatient. The benefits include quick recovery and great cosmetic effect. Moreover, we offer the lowest prices in the Czech Republic.

Surgical procedure for treatment of varicose veins varies from patient to patient and is based on individual evaluation. The method that is eventually selected will depend on the severity of damage, the size of damaged area and its location. Spider veins and secondary veins are candidates for sclerotization. Larger veins are suitable for a surgical intervention. Currently, standard procedures for efficient treatment of varicose veins include radiofrequency ablation supplemented by miniphlebectomy to remove remaining veins using modified CHIVA method.

Sclerotization works best with secondary varicose veins and spider veins. The surgeon injects irritating solution into the veins. After the procedure, compressive bandage is used to cover the treated area and it should be worn for several weeks. The vein scars and is sealed. The collapsed vein is reabsorbed in the local tissue and eventually fades, provided that post- operative regime is followed. Sclerotization is typically a fast procedure with minimal discomfort. The patients need not stay in the hospital and there is no time off work. Moreover, it can be repeated as necessary. However, sclerotization is only a minor surgery and the cause of varicose veins remains. It is only suitable for removing secondary varicose veins.  Mostly, it is used to treat and remove varicose spider and reticular veins for cosmetic effect.

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