Consequences

Varicose veins are a relatively common condition, affecting between 25 to 40 million Americans. Two-thirds of those suffering with these unsightly and often painful veins are women. The majority are adults over the age of 50, although varicose veins can appear at just about any age.

LEAVING VEINS UNTREATED

While some varicose veins never pose more than a cosmetic concern, the consequences of untreated varicose veins can be severe for some patients. Those consequences might include:

  • Leg pain, including aching or throbbing
  • Inflammation of veins (phlebitis)
  • Burning and itching sensations on the skin
  • Discoloration of the skin
  • Blood clots in the deep or superficial veins
  • Open sores on the lower leg or ankle

The longer varicose veins remain untreated, the more severe the consequences can be.  Some patients will develop additional conditions as a result of their varicose veins, including:

  • Superficial Thrombophlebitis – inflammation of a superficial vein due to the formation of a blood clot, which may be associated with cellulitis or deep vein thrombosis
  • Deep Vein Thrombosis – for selected patients, formation of a blood clot in a deeper vein, which can increase the risk of pulmonary embolism or stroke
  • Venous Stasis Dermatitis – change in the skin due to venous insufficiency in the lower leg
  • Venous Stasis Ulcer – open sore, usually appearing on the inside of the ankle, which can be difficult to treat and has a high recurrence rate
  • Bleeding – acute venous hypertensive bleeding — a “torrential” bleeding from a skin vein, easy to control, but can be quite alarming, if not shocking

Contact Us

We are happy to discuss the ways in which we are able to relieve sufferers of untreated varicose veins. Give our Springfield, MA office a call at 413.732.4242 or use the form below.