Varicose vein treatment. Bandaged legs of a male patient following surgery to remove his varicose veins. These are veins that have become distended, lengthened and tortuous. They are due to defective valves, most commonly in the legs. Normally the valves prevent circulating blood from pooling downwards under the effect of gravity. Other forms of treatment include elastic support or sclerotherapy, the injection of an irritant to cause blockage of the vein and re-routing of the blood.