Clinical features

Symptoms commonly associated with varicose veins are:

• disfigurement:
  • patients are frequently disturbed by the poor cosmetic appearance of their legs
  • both their concern and their symptoms may worsen in the summer when the legs are warm and exposed
    
    
• pain:
  • legs frequently ache, especially after prolonged standing
  • patients often describe a dull, heavy, "burning" sensation that becomes more severe as the day progresses
  • in women, symptoms may worsen in the few days prior to menstruation
    
    
• itching:
  • the skin over the varices may itch
  • may be associated with varicose eczema
    
    
• heaviness
  
  
• worry:
  • patients may present because of concern about possible complications such as ulceration

Examination:

• varices appear on standing and disappear when recumbent
• positive Brodie-Trendelenburg test
• doppler flow studies identify 'backflow' through incompetent valves