Can varicose veins cause neuropathy?

Hello @campana, You will notice that we changed the title of your discussion a little to better describe the question in your description. I don't have any medical background or training so I really don't know the answer. I did find some information mentioning that they can signify another disease or condition. I found this excerpt from the article below - "You can experience symptoms that seem to be associated with your varicose vein but are not typical of varicose veins. This could signal another medical issue, like a deep vein thrombosis (DVT, a blood clot in a deep vein) or peripheral neuropathy (nerve disease). Aug 5, 2020" -- Varicose Veins: Everything You Need to Know: https://www.verywellhealth.com/varicose-veins-5073714

You mentioned in a previous post that you were diagnosed in 2019 with neuropathy and have numbness, tingling and burning in your hands and feet. You also mentioned that you were getting acupuncture treatments which were helping a little along with an alpha-lipoic acid supplement. You might be interested in reading through what other members have shared in the following discussions to learn what's helped them.

-- Member Neuropathy Journey Stories: What's Yours?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/member-neuoropathy-journey-stories-whats-yours/
-- Small Fiber Neuropathy burning?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/small-fiber-neuropathy-burning/

There are a couple of websites you might want to view to learn more about your neuropathy condition and symptoms.
-- The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy: https://www.foundationforpn.org/living-well/
-- Neuropathy Commons: https://neuropathycommons.org/

Did your neurologist give you a specific diagnosis for your neuropathy?

Hello John!
Thank you very much for answer my post right away. Doctors never found the cause of my neuropathy
l saw another neurology doctor last week and he suggested varicose veins could be the cause.
Thank again for all the info you are sending me.
campana.

That’s probably my problem! They can’t come up with any reason why! I have neuropathy pain in the feet and legs! But I do have varicose vein‘s!

I am looking for a professional opinion on if my varicose veins could be the cause of foot neuropathy. Any connections that you have found? thanks Jeff

Hi Jeff, welcome. If you would like to get an opinion from a medical professional at Mayo Clinic, you can request an appointment here: http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63

On this website, you can connect with other people dealing with similar health issues and their experiences. From my understanding (I'm not a doctor), varicose viens are a vascular issue and peripheral neuropathy is caused by damaged nerves. As per this journal article "Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) of the lower legs may cause tissue damage, but involvement of peripheral nerves is uncertain."
- Peripheral neuropathy in chronic venous insufficiency https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10842263/

Varicose viens can cause foot numbness, likely due to nerve entrapment. If you experience numbness of your foot and toes, it’s possible that you have tarsal tunnel syndrome.

Jeff, do you have both varicose veins and neuropathy? Or has the cause of neuropathy-like symptoms not been determined yet?

I have varicose veins and in the last year have been diagnosed with idiopathic neuropathy. Trying to find out if they could be cause and effect related. Thank you, Jeff

I have random twinges in my heel. Could be related to structural foot issues. I was in a boot for 8 weeks a year ago for a stress fracture. I was tested and do not have major nerve issues in my foot, no tarsal tunnel, and no nerve entrapment. Had plantar fascitis and a second stress fracture on 2nd metatarsal but both are healed now. I also had an injection in the small nerve bundle where the twinges are. I felt better for a week, and then the twinges returned. My varicose veins are getting worse around that leg and ankle. Could the varicose veins cause nerve pain in my heel?

Welcome @connecting2024, I think the answer to your question is maybe but I think it probably will take a foot specialist to determine the cause. Here's some information on your question that might explain the condition.

--- Varicose veins causing tibial nerve compression in the tarsal tunnel: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6536195/

Have you discussed your question with your care team or foot specialist?

Yes, I am seeing 2 specialists - a podiatrist and a regenerative sports medicine doctor. Neither of them knows for sure what is causing it. Probably a combination of a lot of issues in the foot. I am trying to avoid anything invasive until I first have a better idea of WHY. I will read the article you sent me. Thank you.