Varicose Veins in the Foot and Ankle
What causes varicose veins in the foot and ankle ?
Veins are designed to be the ‘return’ part of the blood transport system, returning de-oxygenated blood back to the heart and lungs. Inside the veins there are special valves are supposed to allow blood to flow in only one direction, when they fail the blood can leak back alone the vein. This process is called ‘venous reflux’, pooling of this blood cause the veins to swell and may produce a bulge.
Patients with prominent ankle veins (aka Corona Phlebectasia) almost always have this reflux process happening in the small saphenous veins in the lower leg. Possible treatments include laser or radio-frequency treatments and other state of the art techniques determined in your personalized treatment plan.
Do ankle and foot varicosities need to be treated ?
In general, ‘yes’, untreated varicose veins can lead to other problems such as skin discolouration, leg swelling, ulceration, venous eczema, hardening of the affected area or possibly to blood clots.
A visit to a vein surgeon with experience in this arena is a sensible precaution, even if it is just to put your mind at rest.
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