Complications from varicose veins can divide into 2 categories:
- Arising from the varicose veins: these include haemorrhage and thrombophlebitis
- Resulting from venous hypertension: these include swelling/oedema, skin pigmentation, varicose eczema, atrophie blanche, lipodermatosclerosis and venous ulceration
Haemorrhage– due to skin erosion or from minor trauma at site of superficial varicosity. Can be arrested by direct pressure and leg elevation
Thrombophlebitis – results from thrombosis of the varicose veins, and presents with painful, inflamed, and tender varicose veins
Skin pigmentation – due to accumulation of haemosiderin in the skin. from extravasated red cells
Ulceration – occurs due necrosis of skin by failing nutritional exchange with capillaries and is always accompanied by skin pigmentation.
Atrophe blanche – white scarring in the lower leg caused by venous hypertension
Lipodermatosclerosis – inflammatory process leading to skin induration and fibrosis of the subcutaneous fat.
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