The veins in the lower limbs have the job of returning blood to the heart. Inside these veins, there are small valves that normally force blood back up towards the heart.
When these valves become insufficient for the task, blood does not circulate causing the veins to dilate, and making them visible and sinuous.
At the beginning of the disease the most common complaints are a feeling of tiredness, weight and pain in the legs, itching, oedema (swelling) of feet and ankles, numbness and cramps. These complaints tend to be aggravated by long periods of standing but improve overnight, worsening over time and with age. If untreated, ulcers which are difficult to treat can result. In severe cases, work and daily life becomes more and more difficult.

The surgical treatment should be considered when the patient cannot control the progression of the disease. Another indication for surgery is when the disease has reached the advanced stages of untreatable skin lesions.

The surgical treatment of choice is varicose incision. The visible varicose veins are removed from the leg through tiny incisions.

Use of elastic stockings and also medical treatment.

Complications and post-operative risks are uncommon.

It is not necessary or advisable to lie down. Patients should walk on flat ground and can take a shower as well as eating meals as normal. They should use half the average elastic compression during the daytime, and should avoid heavy lifting and exposure to the sun.

Recovery time is two to fifteen days, most commonly three days depending on surgery.