Varicose veins on the lower leg (varicose veins)

Varicose veins in the legs (varicose veins - a common name) - externally visible enlargement of the saphenous vein, which develops as a result of varicose veins or post -thrombotic syndrome and is accompanied by a sharp violation of venous outflow in the lower leg.

Modern methods allow to treat varicose veins radically without incision and pain.

Complaints with varicose veins

For most people, varicose veins and spider veins are just a cosmetic problem. In others, varicose veins cause pain and discomfort. Sometimes varicose veins lead to more serious problems and complications - thrombophlebitis or the appearance of trophic ulcers. Treatment consists of removing or closing the defective vein, which is the work of a phlebologist.

Varicose veins are complete degeneration of the venous wall, associated with weakness of its connective tissue (lower leg varicose veins), or develop with a sudden violation of venous outflow, due to blockage or overflow of veins.

Causes of varicose veins on the lower part of the legs

Varicose veins on the lower part of the leg

This disease, as a cause of leg varicose veins, occurs in 20-40% of the population of developed countries in the world. For a long time, varicose veins were only a cosmetic defect, but the development of the disease led to pain, swelling of the feet and legs, and at a later stage to darkening of the skin of the feet, inflammatory changes and trophic ulcers of varicose veins.

Hereditary predisposition is the main cause of major varicose veins, however, the disease develops with excessive pressure on the veins. The trigger mechanism for varicose veins in the lower legs is acute physical overstrain, pregnancy and childbirth. In this case, there is a sharp increase in pressure in the veins of the lower extremities and damage to the valve apparatus, which triggers the mechanism for the development of the disease.

Postthrombophlebitic disease

Secondary varicose veins develop after venous thrombosis or as a result of congenital diseases (arteriovenous fistula, congenital venous dysplasia). Post -thrombotic disease is a complex progressive pathological process in the venous system of the lower extremities. Due to a lack of valves or blockage of a deep vein, the saphenous vein expands when it overflows with blood. Other causes may be congenital or acquired arteriovenous fistulas. Occasionally, congenital obstruction of the deep veins occurs, leading to secondary varicose veins (Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome).

Complications of varicose veins

More than 40% of women and 20% of men experience swelling of varicose veins. In 20% of cases, varicose veins lead to the appearance of trophic ulcers, more than 25% of patients develop varicose vein thrombophlebitis. These complications often require serious treatment and pose a major threat to health.

Chronic venous insufficiency

Venous outflow obstruction causes a pathological condition called chronic venous insufficiency. At the onset of the disease, the appearance of a single nodule of dilated veins may be observed, which does not cause much concern, although it can sometimes be painful. After that, there is an increase in the number of varicose veins. The disease is slow but persistent. If the first varicose veins appear below the knee, then the rate of progression of the disease is much higher. If the disease is not stopped, then the third stage of venous insufficiency gradually develops. Edema becomes permanent, dark color of the skin appears in the ankle area, a feeling of heaviness in the legs is always worried, which can persist even after a night's rest. Often suffer from varicose vein thrombophlebitis and skin inflammation, eczema and dermatitis. The final stage in the development of varicose veins is the appearance of trophic ulcers.

Varicose vein thrombophlebitis

Thrombophlebitis is the most common complication of varicose veins. Thrombophlebitis is an inflammation of the venous wall, with the formation of blood clots in the venous lumen. Thrombophlebitis occurs in superficial and deep veins. With varicose veins, thrombophlebitis occurs in 25% of patients and is usually superficial. The cause of thrombophlebitis in varicose veins is very slow blood flow, especially in large nodes. Under these conditions, any factor that increases blood clotting (pregnancy, overheating, trauma, sprains, hypothermia and scratches, acute respiratory infections) can cause the formation of blood clots in varicose veins and their inflammation. Thrombophlebitis occurs in 25% of patients. with varicose veins on the lower part of the leg. The cause of thrombophlebitis is slow blood flow in the varicose veins. Thrombophlebitis can develop and lead to deep vein thrombosis. Chronic venous insufficiency is a painful condition of venous outflow with varicose veins. It is characterized by edema, darkening of the skin, the appearance of tropical ulcers and varicose dermatitis.

Trophic varicose ulcers

Trophic ulcers are a sign of an excessive degree of chronic venous insufficiency. These are long -term unhealed wounds that occur with severe violation of venous outflow through deep and superficial veins. It occurs in 1% of the general population and in 20% of patients with venous disease. Every fifth patient with varicose veins who does not receive treatment sooner or later gets a trophic ulcer. It can develop with varicose veins and with secondary varicose veins. Without removal of the pathological venous discharge, trophic varicose ulcers do not heal, or always recur. Trophic ulcers with varicose veins occur in most patients and cause serious suffering. Modern minimally invasive methods allow you to definitely eliminate trophic varicose ulcers without incision and pain.

Venous thrombosis and thromboembolism

Pulmonary embolism is a severe complication of venous thrombosis. Varicose veins are an important risk factor for thrombophlebitis and deep vein thrombosis. Thromboembolism leads to the development of severe heart and respiratory failure, with a mortality rate of more than 50%.

Prevention of varicose veins in the lower legs

Any modern person should understand what is varicose veins in the legs, how to treat and prevent its occurrence. With hereditary predisposition, factors that contribute to varicose veins should be avoided. The use of venotonic medications, wearing compression stockings during exercise, periodic examinations by a phlebologist and venous ultrasound are indicated.

When working in conditions of equal factors, it is necessary to use first-class compression stockings at work, therapeutic exercises, outdoor activities, daily walk for at least 1 hour in medical stockings, foot massage and swimming. Refusal to use oral contraceptives with complicated inheritance of varicose veins. It is better to follow these simple rules than to treat varicose veins on the legs.

Avoid production factors during heavy physical work. For this, compression stockings are needed, especially with a tendency for varicose veins. Medical knitwear is indicated for all pregnant women, and in cases of predisposition to varicose veins and thrombophlebitis, special compression stockings are worn for childbirth. It is advisable for all pregnant women to see a phlebologist and do an ultrasound of the veins in the last weeks of pregnancy. This will help reduce the risk of problems with the venous system.

How to treat varicose veins in the legs

Over the past 10 years, "barbaric" methods of treating varicose veins have become a thing of the past, thanks to the emergence of more gentle and effective methods that have been successfully used in clinics.

Vein sclerotherapy for varicose veins

Sclerotherapy is the introduction into the lumen of a varicose vein of a drug that causes the wall to "stick" along with the loss of the vein. For sclerotherapy, several chemicals are used, there are attempts to treat with ozone. At one time, the appearance of foam sclerotherapy revolutionized phlebology. For the first time, effective methods of treating varicose veins without major surgery have emerged. Currently, foam sclerotherapy is used to remove medium diameter varicose veins after laser destruction of pathological venous discharge. Sclerotherapy is indispensable in the treatment of spider veins and reticular varicose veins, where it has no real competitors.

Laser treatment of varicose veins

Laser treatment for lower leg varicose veins (EVLT) is the most modern, radical and inexpensive treatment method that allows you to treat varicose veins in the legs and eliminate the cause of trophic ulcers. The purpose of laser treatment lies in the thermal heating of the venous wall from the inside and the subsequent absorption of the varicose veins. The latest achievements in EVLT are the 1470 nm laser and radial light guidance, which were introduced into medical practice by phlebologists. The postoperative period after this technique is completely painless, and the results are better than other treatment options-the radicality of laser intervention is at least 98%.

Surgery to remove varicose veins

Surgical treatment of varicose veins with removal of the main vein trunk is a thing of the past. The risk of complications of trunk vein removal forced phlebologists to seek other approaches, which led to the development of laser techniques and other methods for removing venous heat. However, the modification of classical phlebectomy to microphlebectomy according to Müller and Varadi allows a wonderful combination of laser treatment and removal of large varicose veins through puncture without incisions or sutures. The Varadi technique saves patients from painful sclerotherapy of large varicose veins. Miniphlebectomy allows you to treat varicose veins of the legs and remove varicose veins that are visible on any part of the body.

Radio frequency destruction of varicose veins

Radiofrequency obliteration (RFO) of varicose veins in the legs is a modern and safe method of treatment. This method is based on the use of microwaves that heat a metal probe, which is already the wall of the vein and causes the destruction of the inner membrane. In terms of pain, this method corresponds to laser freezing with a laser at a wavelength of 1470 nm, it is easy to do, and there is little pain after surgery. However, RFO is significantly lower than laser in terms of long -term treatment outcome. The effectiveness of RFO was 85% without recurrence. This method is not suitable for the treatment of perforated veins.

Massage and bath for varicose veins

Massage is an active treatment method for varicose veins.

All types of modern massage are used, especially in pathology of the lymphatic and venous systems. Among the exclusive methods is the technology of lymphatic drainage massage with a bandage, which is very effective in relieving chronic venous insufficiency.

In chronic venous insufficiency, massage is used to eliminate venous hypertension in varicose veins and post -thrombotic syndrome. The combination of this massage with a bandage allows you to effectively eliminate all clinical manifestations of the disease.

Bathing with varicose veins, thrombophlebitis or post -thrombotic disease is very dangerous. Any heat stress can trigger the formation of blood clots in the deep veins with all the consequences that occur.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to achieve a complete cure for varicose veins without eliminating venous discharge and varicose veins. Although the reduction of symptoms associated with venous blood stasis in the legs is quite possible with the help of modern therapy. However, the prevalence of varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency sometimes give rise to a desire to speculate on the problem. Consider modern and deceptive treatment methods.

Remedy for varicose veins

The goal of drug therapy for venous pathology is to reduce symptoms and prevent complications, but this goal is not easily achieved. Today, the many ways that can be used have posed another problem: which one to choose? Unfortunately, most of the proposed drugs have relatively low efficacy, despite the appropriateness of theoretically justified use. This is due to several reasons, the main one being the low absorption of the medicinal ingredients of these drugs by the body. The ideal drug for the treatment of venous insufficiency should affect as many pathogenetic links of chronic venous insufficiency as possible, while having a minimum number of side effects and high absorption by the body. A large number of venotonic agents are represented in the modern pharmaceutical market. However, they have similar medicinal substances (plant flavonoids) and therefore the effectiveness of one or the other depends only on the concentration and digestibility of the active principle.

You should not expect the disappearance of varicose veins from these medications, however, mild in the legs, a decrease in edema and the disappearance of night cramps can be.

Creams and gels for varicose veins

Despite the high efficiency promoted by sellers and manufacturers, creams and gels do not bring relief from varicose veins and varicose veins do not disappear from them. In the early stages of venous insufficiency, phlebologists do not object to the use of these agents, as their application promotes venous outflow, like a light massage, and has a calming effect on the skin. With advanced forms of venous insufficiency, these creams and ointments can cause dermatitis and allergies, and are therefore very dangerous. Some drugs are used in the development of acute thrombophlebitis and help relieve the inflammatory process, but varicose veins do not disappear from them. Thanks to proper advertising, shamanic products with leeches have gained great popularity among the public, but they have no attitude towards drugs, and even leeches, and there is no point in expecting from them.

Remedy for blood clots in varicose veins

A frequent complication of varicose veins is thrombophlebitis, especially during pregnancy and the postpartum period. A proven drug for the prevention of blood clotting is glycosaminoglycans which contain low molecular weight acidic sulfur. To prevent thrombophlebitis after treatment of varicose veins, tablets are used in the clinic. They were taken 7 days after laser or radio frequency intervention.

Compression stockings for varicose veins

Compression stockings are definitely one of the most effective ways to treat venous edema and reduce the level of chronic venous insufficiency. Created more than 100 years ago, having gained huge popularity in the 20th century and even more so in the 21st century, compression stockings and stockings have become part of the treatment by phlebologists. This is due to the existing effects:

• increased outflow of veins and lymph from the lower legs,
• increased microcirculation,
• slowing the progression of the disease,
• prevention of varicose vein complications (varicothrombophlebitis, trophic disorders),
• prevention of deep vein thrombosis.

How to use compression stockings

So, if you have varicose veins and plan to treat them, then during the treatment you will definitely use compression stockings for a period of a few days or a few months (individually). If your feet are swollen at the end of the day after work and you suffer from heavy foot syndrome, you can also use compression stockings during the day to avoid these symptoms in the evening. If you have an untreated varicose vein complication - trophic ulcer or thrombophlebitis - you will, of course, also use compression to improve the condition of the foot and reduce unpleasant symptoms.

The fact is that by increasing venous outflow, compression stockings work every second to increase the return of venous blood from the legs, which is certainly not easy for veins affected by disease and is contrary to the laws of universal gravity. Compression knitwear can safely be called one of the ingenious man’s inventions, but in order for it to work for you, a few conditions must be met:

1. Compression knitwear is selected individually (according to standards). The main requirement is compliance with the anatomical profile of the limb and, therefore, the creation of a correct pressure gradient.
2. Knitwear is selected by the doctor (phlebologist) individually. Medical products are marked in mm Hg, and are divided into compression classes 1, 2, 3, 4. Each compression class corresponds to a specific pressure. At different stages of varicose veins or chronic venous insufficiency, the appropriate compression class is used. That is why only a doctor has the right to prescribe and choose the right compression stockings - taking into account the pathological nature and according to individual standards.
3. It should be medical, not a slimming knitwear. Only brands proven with RAL certification.

When do you need knitwear for varicose veins?

• correction of "heavy foot" syndrome: reduction in severity, edema, improved quality of life;
• during treatment with a phlebologist: after surgery or for a period prescribed by a specialist;
• to slow the development of varicose veins;
• for the treatment of varicose vein complications (varicothrombophlebitis).

A necessary component of any treatment for varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency is medical elastic compression. Thanks to compression therapy, it is possible to completely eliminate swelling, heaviness in the legs and create conditions for any kind of radical treatment of varicose veins. Modern medical knitwear has a high therapeutic effect and excellent aesthetic properties.

Comparative features of elastic bandages and compression stockings

Elastic bandage	Therapeutic jersey
The creation of the required pressure is determined by the technique and skill of wrapping the doctor or patient	Treatment profile and stress level specified during manufacture according to compression class
The need for medical participation in the imposition of bandages or in the education of patients	Physician participation is limited to the selection of compression classes and product types
Difficulty in providing compression and fixation on the thigh	Provides effective compression and fixation on the thighs
Used for non -standard limb shapes	With non -standard limb shapes, adjustments can be made
Washing every day causes the bandage to wear quickly	Daily washing is necessary to maintain the compressive properties
Needs to be replaced after several washes	Guaranteed to maintain compressive properties for 6 months
Possible violation of water balance and skin temperature	The porous bonding provides normal temperature and water balance to the skin
Low aesthetic properties, provide convenience and comfort	High aesthetic features, convenience and comfort in use

Exercise and sports for varicose veins

Powerful exercise for varicose veins and athletics is possible after the elimination of varicose syndrome, or in compression stockings 2-3 compression classes. Modern treatment is able to bring legs with varicose veins back to normal, which removes all restrictions.

We bring to your attention a complex of therapeutic and preventive exercises developed by leading experts. Its regular implementation will help reduce the manifestations of venous insufficiency in the lower extremities, slow the progression of the disease and reduce the risk of life -threatening complications.

1. Unloading leg veins. Breathe deeply and evenly, lie down with eyes closed, relax. At the same time, place some pillows under your feet so that they are raised at an angle of 15-20 °
2. Exercise bike. Lying on your back and breathing evenly, imagine you are riding a bicycle.
3. The exercise consists of several parts, performed slowly and smoothly. Lying on your back with legs extended, take a deep breath. Exhale, bend your right leg, bring your knees to your chest. Inhale, straighten legs vertically upwards. Exhale, lower. Repeat this exercise alternately for each leg.
4. Lie on your back, arms along the body, lift the legs vertically upwards. Rotate both legs simultaneously inward, then outward.
5. Bend and release the leg alternately at the ankle joint forward and backward.
6. Bend and release your toes alternately.
7. Standing in position: legs together, arms along torso. After taking a deep breath, slowly rise on your toes, exhale, return to starting position.
8. Walk in place without lifting your socks off the floor.
9. Vertical scissors. Lie on your back, arms along the body, breathe evenly, cross legs alternately, alternately.
10. Lie on your back, bend your knees without lifting your legs off the floor. Put your hands on your hips. Inhale slowly, lift your head and body. At the same time, the hands slide to the knees. Exhale slowly, returning to the starting position.
11. Lie on your back, arms along the body, feet at an angle of 15-20 °, hold a small pillow between the legs. Inhale slowly, bend at the waist, tear the back from the mattress. Exhale slowly, returning to the starting position.
12. Lie on your back, arms along your body, bend your knees, keep your feet on the floor. Exhale slowly, drawing in your stomach. Inhale slowly, bloating.
13. Lying on your back, legs raised at an angle of 15-20 °. Bend your right leg, bring your knee to your chest. At the same time, bring the legs close to your hands. Slowly straighten your legs. The hands, gripping the legs tightly, slide along the calves to knee level. Slowly lower your legs, hands sliding over your thighs. The exercise is repeated for the other leg.
14. Stand, legs close together, arms along body, inhale slowly, pull your shoulders back, exhale slowly, relax your shoulders and tilt your head forward.
15. Contrast bath on feet. Hard jets of warm and cold water alternated. 5-10 minutes for each leg.