Varicose Veins in Children

While it is not common to see varicose veins in children or teens, on occasion these younger patients can find varicosities in the legs causing some aching or tenderness. The common thinking among most patients is that many years of standing at work without the ability to elevate the legs is the prime cause of venous disease. Professions thought to be at high risk are teachers, cooks, cashiers, nurses, and factory workers, for example.

While these activities may hasten the development of varicose veins, in reality heredity plays the largest role in determining who is most apt to have these large surface veins on the legs. Therefore, when young patients present with varicosities, we can most often find a fairly strong familial incidence of these veins.

Fortunately, when varicose veins develop in this younger age group, treatment is still very effective and durable with long lasting benefit. VNUS Closure and ClariVein can easily resolve the venous reflux responsible for the surface veins. Most young patients will then see the surface veins receding rather promptly, as the muscular wall of these veins is well preserved. In those patients who still have residual surface veins after VNUS, microphlebectomy is a very suitable treatment option.

The development of varicose veins in younger patients should not cause grave concern among patients. Safe and effective therapy is widely available. Resumption of normal activities should be expected.