ABSTRACT
Up to 40% of the adult population in resource-rich countries have diseases of the veins of the leg. This extraordinary prevalence along with the associated impairment in healthrelated quality of life make it a very important area of surgical practice. Surgical intervention has been revolutionised by the development of endovenous techniques, and level 1 evidence has demonstrated that treatment can be associated with very high clinical- and cost-effectiveness. Despite the considerable importance placed on lower limb function during the management of orthopaedic and arterial diseases, venous diseases are often forgotten or dismissed as cosmetic practice. An understanding of the nature and management of venous disease is critical to address this imbalance and improve the quality of patients’ lives.
