The backlog of blood causes increased water leakage into the tissue in the lower leg area (oedema), i.e. leg swelling. This often results in a feeling of tension (heavy legs) or even pain. Often an unpleasant feeling of warmth or itching can also be felt.

If this condition persists for several years, it can lead to inflammation and nutritional disorders of the skin around the ankle. This can lead to hardening and discolouration of the skin and ulceration,i.e.an"open leg" (ulcus cruris). Superficial phlebitis and deep vein thrombosis also occur more frequently with varicose veins.

In addition to the cosmetic aspect, varicose veins also harbour a medical risk, as there is a danger of further progression of the blood transport disorder.

The reduced flow rate of the blood leads to increased coagulability, resulting in blood clots. Such clots can lead to an often unnoticed blockage of the veins (thrombosis).

If parts of a clot or the entire blood clot are swept towards the heart with the blood flow and from there enter the pulmonary circulation, a vascular occlusion (embolism) can occur within the lungs with potentially life-threatening consequences.

In addition, the permanent overloading of the deep vein system, which is caused by the inadequate removal of blood, can lead to the formation of varicose veins in the so-called leading veins. This form of varicose vein disease is much more serious than superficial varicose veins.

Long-term exposure of the skin to varicose veins can lead to an open leg. Once this condition has occurred, the ulcers often do not heal for months despite the best treatment, which can result in serious impairment of professional activities. Measures should therefore be taken in good time to prevent the further development of varicose veins.

The main risk of varicose veins is the development of a leg ulcer (ulcus cruris). This ulcer sometimes only develops years later and therefore at a stage in life when surgical treatment is difficult and putting on compression stockings becomes difficult. Skin changes are a preliminary stage of the ulcer.

The development of varicose veins in the deep system (insufficiency of the veins) is a complication of external varicose veins. Conduit vein insufficiency can only be treated with complex valve reconstruction operations or the prescription of very tight compression stockings (class three).

For the initial assessment in our specialised practice, you can either register yourself or be referred by your family doctor.

The assessment of your vascular condition usually involves a consultation, a targeted examination and a vascular ultrasound by our specialised doctors. Immediately afterwards, the results are discussed and therapeutic measures are determined. We attach great importance to easy-to-understand wording, comprehensive information and open communication of the advantages and disadvantages of the individual therapeutic methods. Due to the often very complex presentation of varicose veins, our treatment is highly individualised: depending on the initial situation, we combine procedures such as endovenous vein laser, miniphlebectomy, ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy and sclerotherapy.

Of course, you will also receive written information material, as it is essential for successful treatment that you understand and actively support the process.

Small to medium-sized varicose veins are often sclerosed. These veins are punctured with fine needles either under visualisation or with the help of ultrasound. Sclerosing agents are then injected in liquid or foam form. In addition to a fine prick, you may feel a brief burning sensation. The treated veins close up and are broken down by the body over the next few days and weeks. As a rule, several varicose veins are sclerosed in one session. You should therefore expect to have several stitches.

Once the treatment is complete, you will be fitted with a compression stocking. If necessary, you will be given a blood thinner and can then get up again and go about your normal daily activities. It is often sufficient to wear the stocking for one day, but sometimes it can be useful to wear it for a few days longer.

As soon as you have decided in favour of a procedure, appointments will be made for the actual treatment and check-ups. On the day of the procedure, you will be met by our practice staff in the waiting room and shown to the treatment room. The doctor responsible for you will briefly discuss the procedure with you again, create a sketch of your varicose veins on your leg with the help of ultrasound, and then the procedure can begin.

At the beginning, a local anaesthetic is administered via a few fine needle pricks. As soon as the anaesthetic takes effect, you can relax and follow the procedure. If you wish, you can relax with music or request a light, superficial anaesthetic with laughing gas. The procedure is over after around 40 minutes. The punctures are bandaged and a compression stocking is put on. You can get up immediately afterwards. After a short period of aftercare, you will be able to leave our premises on your own and walk or drive normally. You will be given a blood-thinning medication for a few days to prevent thrombosis, a special gel to reduce any haematoma more quickly and, if necessary, a painkiller.

Leave the compression stocking on your leg until the evening. You can remove it for the night and sleep undisturbed. Your doctor will usually carry outthefirst follow-up check the following day. You will then decide together how to proceed.

Vein problems are usually a chronic disease if you are predisposed to them. This means that new varicose veins can develop again after varicose vein treatment. Regular exercise, a healthy diet and avoiding large weight fluctuations support normal vein function. Wearing compression stockings, which was often mentioned in the past, has no significant influence on the development of new varicose veins according to current scientific data.

However, we will be happy to work with you to develop a concept to recognise and prevent the recurrence of new varicose veins at an early stage.

Chronic venous disorders are one of the most common diseases in our society. This results in high costs for the general public and cost bearers. According to epidemiological data, 3 - 6 % of patients with varicose veins develop a chronic wound on the leg, a so-called "open leg".

Early detection and treatment of varicose vein disease can prevent high follow-up costs. This is why the assessment and most treatments are a compulsory benefit under the Health Insurance Act and are covered by the health insurance companies - excluding the deductible and excess.

Visible, dilated veins on the legs occur at any age, although not every varicose vein leads to symptoms. This is why we are often asked when you should start showing your legs to a vein specialist. For some years now, there have been clear recommendations for action in this regard, which have been formulated on the basis of scientific data.

The following criteria should lead to an appointment with an angiologist:

• Complaints in connection with varicose veins

• Skin changes in connection with varicose veins

• Wound healing disorders of the legs

• phlebitis

• Thrombosis

• Leg swelling

• Aesthetically disturbing varicose veins

No. We carry out appropriate treatments all year round. This assumption dates back to the days of classic vein surgery. The hospitalisation required at that time, the wearing of thick stockings for several weeks and the large incisions are no longer necessary thanks to modern procedures.

Until recently, there was still debate even among experts about the laser treatment of varicose veins, particularly in comparison to the classic vein surgery used in the past, the "stripping operations". In the meantime, however, there are now solid empirical values that have been gathered over more than 20 years. Accordingly, various international expert committees and, in many countries, the cost bearers have drawn up clear guidelines for the use of vein lasers for varicose veins.

In these guidelines, the vein laser is mentioned as the first choice for a disease of the truncal veins; in medical terms, this is referred to as the "gold standard". Compared to older surgical procedures, this results in less pain after the operation and significantly less bruising and wound infections.

Based on this, the vein laser (endovenous thermal ablation procedure) was recognised by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) for the treatment of truncal veins and included in the benefits catalogue as of 1.1.2016 as a reimbursable benefit under compulsory health insurance.

Modern varicose vein treatment leads to the targeted and precise closure or removal of clearly diseased veins. Healthy veins are left in the leg whenever possible. After the procedure, the blood that has previously accumulated in the varicose veins is redistributed to healthy veins deep in the leg and in the numerous superficial veins. Overall, the blood drainage in the legs is significantly better after treatment than before. As a result, there is less discomfort, swollen legs or a feeling of heaviness.

As venous disorders are a chronic disease, previously healthy veins can develop into varicose veins again over time. There is therefore no upper limit to how often varicose veins can be treated.