Procedures
If you do not have any symptoms of venous insufficiency, a cosmetic route for treatment is your option. Non-surgical methods include ultrasound guided sclerotherapy. Most likely, tributary varicose veins behind the knee originate from the small saphenous system.
Self-care
Several times a day, take a 15-minute rest with your legs raised above the level of your heart so that your veins don't have to work against gravity. Change leg activity.
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Varicose veins can cause pain and discomfort and even, in rare cases, bleeding leg sores. Treating enlarged leg veins can relieve discomfort and prevent complications. The older, surgical treatment for varicose veins was "stripping" — removing leg veins through incisions under general anesthesia.
What is the best treatment for tributary varicose veins behind the knee?
Knee varicose veins. Varicose veins are very commonly located in the calves, behind the knees and thighs. The cause is usually an underlying vein valve leak (venous insufficiency). An ultrasound is highly recommended prior to treatment as in a small segment, varicose veins may represent an underlying clot in the deep vein system which needs...
How do I get rid of varicose veins on my legs?
Can varicose veins be treated with surgery?
Why do I have varicose veins on my knees?
What causes varicose veins behind knee?
Overall health: Certain health conditions, such as severe constipation or certain tumors, increase pressure in the veins. Tobacco use: People who use tobacco products are more likely to develop varicose veins. Weight: Excess weight puts pressure on blood vessels.
Can large varicose veins be treated?
Larger varicose veins are generally treated with ligation and stripping, laser treatment, or radiofrequency treatment. In some cases, a combination of treatments may work best. Smaller varicose veins and spider veins are usually treated with sclerotherapy or laser therapy on your skin.
What is the best treatment for large varicose veins?
Catheter-based procedures using radiofrequency or laser energy. This procedure is the preferred treatment for larger varicose veins. A health care provider inserts a thin tube (catheter) into an enlarged vein and heats the tip of the catheter using either radiofrequency or laser energy.
What happens if varicose veins are left untreated?
Untreated varicose veins can also become inflamed in a condition called superficial thrombophlebitis (ST). The inflammation is caused by decreased blood flow, damage to the vein and blood clotting. ST causes reddened skin and a tender, warm vein. There may also be swelling and pain in the leg.
What is the newest treatment for varicose veins?
One of the new advances in the treatment of varicose veins is the use of adhesives to close off leaky veins. This procedure is called VenaSeal, which the FDA approved in 2015. The surgeons at INOVIA® participated in the study that evaluated this procedure for FDA approval.
Is varicose vein treatment painful?
In fact, veins are rarely physically removed. In most cases, veins are simply closed using a chemical or radiofrequency energy that gently heats vessels to close them. Each of these treatments is virtually painless.
Is there a non surgical treatment for varicose veins?
Minimally invasive options exist, and most problem veins — from the tiniest spider veins to larger varicose veins — can be treated without surgery. Newer techniques include the use of heat, glue or a solution injected directly into the veins. Treatment for varicose veins should be personalized to the individual.
Is it worth getting varicose veins removed?
Surgery can very effectively relieve varicose vein symptoms: In more than 80% of people who have varicose vein surgery, it improves symptoms like pain, swelling and itching or makes them go away completely, and their legs look better afterwards.
How can I fix my varicose veins without surgery?
If a person has varicose veins, they can try the following home remedies to help manage the condition and improve symptoms:Exercise. ... Compression stockings. ... Plant extracts. ... Dietary changes. ... Eat more flavonoids. ... Herbal remedies. ... Choose non-restrictive clothing. ... Keep the legs elevated.More items...
Can varicose veins lead to amputation?
At worst, they can be indicative of a progressive disease process called chronic venous insufficiency, which causes poor wound healing, ulcers and, in severe cases, can lead to amputation.
Can a varicose vein burst?
If left untreated, varicose veins can increase in size. As they get larger, the walls of veins get thinner and something as simple as a solid bump can rupture them. Depending on the size of the varicose vein, the rupture can create what seems like a great deal of blood loss.
When should I worry about my varicose veins?
If you have varicose veins and experience any of the following symptoms, it's time to give your doctor a call: Severe and continuous pain and swelling in the legs. Heaviness and/or dull, achy feeling in the legs at the end of the day, or after physical activity.
What is the treatment for varicose veins?
If you don't respond to self-care or compression stockings, or if your condition is more severe, your doctor may suggest one of these varicose vein treatments: Sclerotherapy. In this procedure, your doctor injects small- and medium-sized varicose veins with a solution or foam that scars and closes those veins.
What is the procedure to remove varicose veins?
Endoscopic vein surgery. You might need this operation only in an advanced case involving leg ulcers if other techniques fail. Your surgeon uses a thin video camera inserted in your leg to visualize and close varicose veins and then removes the veins through small incisions.
How to prevent varicose veins from getting worse?
Self-care — such as exercising, losing weight, not wearing tight clothes, elevating your legs, and avoiding long periods of standing or sitting — can ease pain and prevent varicose veins from getting worse.
What to do before a varicose vein appointment?
What you can do in the meantime. Even before your appointment, you can begin self-care. Try not to stand or sit in one position for a long time, elevate your legs when you're seated, and avoid uncomfortable footwear and tight socks or hosiery. By Mayo Clinic Staff. Varicose veins care at Mayo Clinic.
How to close spider veins?
Laser treatment. Doctors are using new technology in laser treatments to close off smaller varicose veins and spider veins. Laser treatment works by sending strong bursts of light onto the vein, which makes the vein slowly fade and disappear. No incisions or needles are used.
How to diagnose varicose veins?
Diagnosis. To diagnose varicose veins, your doctor will do a physical exam, including looking at your legs while you're standing to check for swelling. Your doctor may also ask you to describe any pain and aching in your legs. You also may need an ultrasound test to see if the valves in your veins are functioning normally or if there's any evidence ...
What is the ultrasound test for blood clots?
You also may need an ultrasound test to see if the valves in your veins are functioning normally or if there's any evidence of a blood clot. In this noninvasive test, a technician runs a small hand-held device (transducer), about the size of a bar of soap, against your skin over the area of your body being examined.
How to reduce veins in legs?
These treatments can reduce their appearance and relieve discomfort: Elevation: To increase blood flow and decrease pressure in the veins, you should elevate your legs above your waist several times throughout the day. Elastic stockings: Supportive stock ings or socks compress the veins and reduce discomfort.
What is the procedure called when you strip a vein?
Vein surgery: During these procedures, also called ligation and stripping, the surgeon ties off the affected vein (ligation) to stop blood from pooling. The surgeon may remove (strip) the vein to prevent varicose veins from reappearing.
What is the difference between spider veins and varicose veins?
What is the difference between varicose veins and spider veins? Varicose veins and spider veins are both types of venous disease, but they look different. Spider veins are smaller and thinner than varicose veins. They look like a red or blue spider webs or branches of a tree, and they are close to the skin’s surface.
How to tell if you have varicose veins?
The most recognizable sign of varicose veins is a gnarled, blue or purple vein just under the skin’s surface. Symptoms include: Bulging veins: Twisted, swollen, rope-like veins are often blue or purple. They appear just below the surface of the skin on the legs, ankles and feet. They can develop in clusters.
Why do veins get bigger?
Varicose veins occur when the walls of veins become weakened. As blood pressure in the vein increases, the weakened walls allow the vein to get bigger. As the vein stretches, the valves in the vein can’t work like they should. Sluggish blood backs up or pools in the vein, causing the vein to swell, bulge and twist.
What are purple veins?
Varicose Veins. Varicose veins are twisted, blue or purple veins that bulge under the skin’s surface. They don’t usually cause serious health problems. If veins are painful or bleeding, or if the area is swollen, see your healthcare provider.
Where do varicose veins develop?
Most often, varicose veins develop on the lower half of the body, usually on the calves, ankles and feet. They can also develop in the pelvic area (pelvic congestion syndrome), especially in women who have had children. Varicose veins in the testicles ( varicocele) can lead to infertility in men.
How does a varicose vein work?
Anatomy of a varicose leg vein. Normally, blood in the leg is moved upward toward the heart by one-way valves, which prevent blood from flowing backward ( A ). In a varicose vein ( B ), the valves are deformed and don't close properly, so the blood flows backward, pools, and enlarges the vein.
What is the treatment for spider veins?
Sclerotherapy. Also known as injection therapy, this treatment is usually the first choice for spider veins, reticular veins, and small varicose veins. The physician injects a chemical irritant — either a liquid or foam — into the vein, making it swell, stick together, and seal shut.
How many women have varicose veins?
More than 40% of women over age 50 and 75% of women over age 70 have varicose veins. Not only do blood vessels weaken with age, so do calf muscles, which normally help squeeze veins and send blood back toward the heart as you walk. Other risk factors that can predispose you to varicose veins include the following:
What does it mean when you have purple veins on your legs?
If you have varicose veins — those dark blue or purple leg veins that bulge above the skin's surface — you may dread wearing beachwear and other clothes that expose your legs. With summer just a few months away, this may be a good time to do something about that. But it's not just a cosmetic consideration.
Why do leg veins have one way valves?
These veins have one-way valves that prevent blood from flowing backward (see "Anatomy of a varicose leg vein"), but the valves can weaken and stop working properly, especially as we age. As a result of these changes, blood can pool in the veins immediately under the skin, causing them to enlarge and become less elastic.
Where do reticular veins appear?
They occur mainly on the back of the leg, usually around the knee.
What are the different types of enlarged veins?
There are several types of enlarged veins: varicose, reticular, and spider veins .
What is the best treatment for VTE?
Doctors commonly prescribe anticoagulant medication for people with VTE. Also known as blood thinners, anticoagulants stop existing blood clots from growing, help prevent new ones from forming, and reduce the risk of a PE.
What is a blood clot behind the knee?
A blood clot behind the knee is a type of venous thromboembolism. It is a serious condition that can lead to life-threatening complications, such as a pulmonary embolism. The popliteal vein runs behind the knee and transports blood back up to the heart. When a blood clot forms in this vein, doctors refer to it as popliteal vein thrombosis.
What is the name of the vein that carries blood from the lower body to the heart?
It is one of several blood vessels that carry blood from the leg into the inferior vena cava, which is a large vein that carries blood from the lower body to the heart. Popliteal vein thrombosis is a condition in which a blood clot develops in the popliteal vein.
Why do you need thrombolytic therapy?
Thrombolytic therapy may be necessary if a person has a very large blood clot or if anticoagulant medications are not working effectively . This type of therapy involves taking drugs to dissolve the blood clot or undergoing surgery to remove it. Doctors usually only recommend thrombolytic therapy for severe blood clots.
Why does popliteal vein thrombosis occur?
Popliteal vein thrombosis can occur due to poor blood flow, damage to a blood vessel, or an external injury. In this article, we explain what popliteal vein thrombosis is and discuss its causes, risk factors, and symptoms. We also cover diagnosis, treatment, complications, and prevention.
What is the best test to check for clotting in the leg?
Ultrasound. A doctor may use this test to examine the knee and leg area and check for signs of clotting. Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the inside of the veins. The ultrasound operator may press on the vein to check whether blood is flowing correctly.
Is popliteal vein thrombosis a pulmonary embolism?
A thrombus that travels to the lungs is known as a pulmonary embolism (PE).
Where do the varicose veins behind the knee originate?
January 6, 2017. Answer: Tributary varicose veins behind the knee originate from the small saphenous system. Most likely, tributary varicose veins behind the knee originate from the small saphenous system. Less commonly, they originate from the intersaphenous system that connects the great and lesser saphenous systems.
What is bulging vein behind knee?
Answer: Bulging veins behind knee. Generally it is related to reflux of the GSV with tributary or excessery vein component. You need a proper evaluation with ultrasound . Generally it is related to reflux of the GSV with tributary or excessery vein component. You need a proper evaluation with ultrasound .
What do you need to do a venous Doppler ultrasound?
You need a venous Doppler Ultrasound exam (Duplex scan) to measure the veins, map the entire saphenous system (great and lesser) and also determine if you have venous insufficiency. In the interim, wear graduated medical compression stockings that are thigh high to help relieve symptoms.
What causes blood to pool in legs?
Venous insufficiency happens when the valves that maintain blood flowing out of the legs and back to the heart no longer function. This causes the blood to pool in the legs and one of the signs is bulging veins among other signs and symptoms. Venous insufficiency is considered a medical condition with risk factors like age, gender, family history, ...
Why do I have veins behind my knee?
What is the cause? Venous insufficiency could be causing the veins behind your knee. Venous insufficiency happens when the valves that maintain blood flowing out of the legs and back to the heart no longer function. This causes the blood to pool in the legs and one of the signs is bulging veins among other signs and symptoms.
Why do my legs have bulging veins?
This causes the blood to pool in the legs and one of the signs is bulging veins among other signs and symptoms. Venous insufficiency is considered a medical condition with risk factors like age, gender, family history, heavy lifting, multiple pregnancies, obesity, standing for long time etc.
Where are varicose veins located?
Hi Shelly Cameron, Varicose veins are very commonly located in the calves, behind the knees and thighs. The cause is usually an underlying vein valve leak (venous insufficiency). An ultrasound is highly recommended prior to treatment as in a small segment, varicose veins may represent an underlying clot in the deep vein system which needs to be addressed immediately. In a nutshell, an ultrasound of both legs including the deep system followed by a treatment plan. If you do not have any symptoms of venous insufficiency, a cosmetic route for treatment is your option. Non-surgical methods include ultrasound guided sclerotherapy.
Diagnosis
Treatment
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
Alternative Medicine
Specialist to consult
Preparing For Your Appointment
- Your health care provider will do a physical exam, including looking at your legs while you're standing to check for swelling. Your provider might also ask you to describe pain and aching in your legs.