Can cycling cause varicose veins?

We have always suspected that some people can get varicose veins caused by cycling. Many people who cycle seemed to have varicose veins. Of course, this might be because they have low body fat. It might also be because they show their legs when cycling.

However, over the years we have noticed that many patients with a certain sort of varicose vein caused by perforators, seem to be more likely to be cyclists. In addition, keen cyclists seem to get varicose veins back again more commonly than we would expect. This is almost always due to new incompetent perforators causing the varicose veins.

Unfortunately, there has not been any proof showing the link between cycling and formation of varicose veins.

Today The Whiteley Clinic researchers have published a case that may show the link.

The case is discussed in detail in the publication that can be viewed online through this link: Link to case report

The lady in question appears to have developed her varicose veins suddenly during intense cycling.

This was proven by three-dimensional ultrasound scanning, performed by the expert vascular technologists at The Whiteley Clinic.

Varicose vein caused by intense cycling – perforator incompetence – The Whiteley Clinic Nov 2017

Fortunately for this lady, Mark Whiteley and Judy Holdstock invented the TRLOP technique to close incompetent perforators in 2001. This allows incompetent perforating veins to be cured with a single pinhole incision using a laser or radiofrequency catheter.

Varicose veins caused by cycling:

As with all good research, this research results in even more questions than it answers.

Varicose veins caused by intense cycling – perforator incompetence 3D duplex – The Whiteley Clinic Nov 2017

The research department at The Whiteley Clinic intends to continue researching the causes of varicose veins as well as the best ways to treat them.

Hopefully over the next few years, particularly if cyclists are willing to participate in the research, we will begin to answer with certainty whether there is a causative link between cycling and the formation of varicose veins.

Varicose veins caused by cycling – case report from The Whiteley Clinic Dec 2017