Venous Disease Progression
Australian Vein Clinics
Spider veins and reticular veins are often warning signs for venous disease progression.
Stages of Venous Disease Progression:
Stage 0:
Healthy veins, no surface veins showing and no physical symptoms present.
Stage 1:
Spider veins and reticular veins develop. Pain common when prolonged standing.
Stage 2:
Varicose veins form. Itching throbbing and heaviness is common, especially standing.
Stage 3:
Advance varicose veins with edema/swelling of the lower leg. Poor skin health common.
Stage 4:
Varicose eczema and leg ulcers. Skin quality is usually heavily effected.
Venous disease, also known as chronic venous insufficiency, is when the veins that pump the blood back towards the heart stop functioning properly due to valve damage. This causes multiple symptoms including, varicose veins, venous leg ulcers, spider veins, swelling of the leg and skin damage. Often venous disease progression starts slowly, with early warning signs showing before any permanent damage is made. When it is treated in its early stages, the treatment options are much more straight forward and affordable.
Stage 0:
Presentation
Example Treatment Plan
Compression stockings to assist with blood flow upwards through the legs. Monitor for symptoms and ultrasound when symptoms present.
Price Guide: $0 – $150
Risk Factors
Standing still for extended periods of time (occupations such as teaching and hairdressing are often predisposed to venous disease). Other risk factors include family history, pregnancy and weight gain.
Stage 1:
Presentation
Usually, the first stage of venous disease progression is the development of spider and reticular veins. These superficial veins often appear green, red, blue or purple on the surface. This can indicate varicose veins beneath the surface.
Example Treatment Plan
Direct vision sclerotherapy to treat surface level veins. Compression stockings. Ultrasound to ensure no development of incompetent varicose veins under the surface.
Price Guide: $400 – $1200
Symptoms and Potential Complications
Symptoms of itching and throbbing can present from surface veins.
Possible complication of further venous disease progressing unknowingly under the surface.
Stage 2:
Presentation
Varicose veins and venous nodes form, often appearing twisted and worm like. This is due to damaged valves in the veins causing the blood to travel backwards and pool.
Example Treatment Plan
Endovenous laser ablation to tackle larger incompetent veins, followed by 1-2 sessions of ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy or Venaseal vein glue.
Price Guide: $800 – $3200
Symptoms and Potential Complications
Symptoms of itching, pain, throbbing and heaviness is common, especially when standing.
Increased likelihood of blood clotting, leg ulcers, swelling and skin deterioration.
Stage 3:
Presentation
Example Treatment Plan
1-2 sessions of endovenous laser ablation to tackle larger incompetent veins, followed by 3-4 sessions of ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy or Venaseal vein glue. Topical skin care. Compression Garments.
Price Guide: $1800 – $4200
Symptoms and Potential Complications
Pain in the area, Heaviness in the legs, hardening of the vein and warmth on touch.
Increased chances of superficial thrombophlebitis and non-healing ulcers.
Stage 4:
Presentation
Example Treatment Plan
Multiple sessions of Endovenous Laser ablation, followed up multiple ultrasound guided Sclerotherapy and Microsclerotherapy. Wound treatment assistance.
Price Guide: $2500 – $6000
Symptoms and Potential Complications
Pain in the area, Heaviness in the legs, hardening of the vein and warmth on touch. Increased chances of superficial thrombophlebitis and non-healing ulcers.
High chance of Semi permanent-permanent brown staining of the skin around the ankles
View some before & after shots from our clients at Australian Vein Clinics
