Venous and lymphatic diseases of the limbs
Summary
Varicose veins are common and aside from causing complications of aching heaviness, thrombophlebitis, bleeding and ulceration are generally regarded as being unsightly. Non-invasive duplex ultrasound can accurately diagnose sites of venous valve incompetence allowing targeted intervention. Aside from traditional surgery, innovative venous ablative therapies such as radiofrequency and endovenous laser ablation have been developed. With any venous intervention the risk of recurrence over time represents the major challenge. Lymphoedema of the lower limbs is a common cause of lower limb oedema. It is important to determine whether it is primary or secondary lymphoedema but the mainstay of therapy is conservative with elevation, remedial massage and compression garments.
