The first symptoms are heaviness in the legs, easy fatigue, cramps, numbness, burning and swelling of varying degree. A lower-limb ultrasound (triplex) is recommended for an accurate diagnosis.
Conservative treatment includes venotonic medication, graduated compression stockings and avoiding prolonged standing or a sedentary lifestyle.
When improvement is not satisfactory, surgical treatment is advised. Since 2006, modern painless endoscopic techniques with minimal burden have been used: 1470nm endovenous laser, an endoscopic laser catheter for the saphenous vein, microsurgical excision and foam sclerotherapy, and a bioglue endoscopic catheter.
The procedure is performed under sedation and local anaesthesia, takes 40–50 minutes per leg, and the patient returns to full activity within 3–4 days.