Varicose Veins in Children

It is often thought that varicose veins occur because we age and put more stress on the legs. While most of our patients with venous insufficiency are in the 35 to 55 age group, we do occasionally see children with significant, advanced varicose veins. Many of these patients have a hereditary predisposition to developing varicose veins as there is a familial pattern to their appearance.

I recently saw a 14-year-old boy, very athletic, tall and muscular with very large calf varicose veins, ankle swelling and aching. He plays basketball for his school team and told me that the leg issues were a real impact on his performance.

A thorough evaluation found that his saphenous vein was not working properly, allowing backflow of blood to the lower leg (venous reflux). Once he was treated with VNUS Closure, his veins regressed markedly so that they were no longer visible. Most importantly, within a week of the procedure, the leg pain that had been present before treatment had resolved.

It is important to recognize that leg swelling and pain are often the result of varicose veins and that proper evaluation with duplex ultrasound is necessary to ensure normal vein flow. If abnormalities are found, most are very easily treated with VNUS Closure, phlebectomy or sclerotherapy, so that vein flow is resorted to normal. The long-term benefits are excellent.