الفهرس 
INTRODUCTIONOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Varicose veins or varicosities are superficial abnormally dilated and tortuous veins commonly in the lower limbs. These are caused by incompetent venous valves which pathologically affects venous return. The dilated veins hinder venous valves closure causing backward blood flow and increase the venous pressure. Varicose veins manifestations could be asymptomatic except for the appearance of darkened veins on person’s leg. It could also be symptomatic when the patient complains of disfigurement, discoloration, easy leg fatigue, leg heaviness feeling, cramps and edema especially after prolonged standing, discomfort and pain.
Varicose vein is classified as primary or secondary varicose veins. High risk factors of varicose veins development are factors that increase the risk of its development as familial tendency, gender, congenital weakness of the venous walls, obesity, pregnancy, age, venous obstruction and the most risky one is occupation that required prolonged standing or sitting.
Varicose veins could be prevented, controlled and treated traditionally by elastic stocking and surgical intervention or alternatively by hydrotherapy and massage. Hydrotherapy is local application of water with different temperature degrees. Massage is an intentional and systemic manipulation of the body’s soft tissues.
This study aimed to compare between the effect of hydrotherapy and leg massage on reducing patient’s discomfort and pain resulting from varicose veins in the lower limbs.
The study was carried out at the outpatient clinics in Vascular Surgery units and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation units at the Health Insurance Hospitals, Gamal Abdel Nasser and Abu Qir Specialized Hospitals and at the Main University Hospital.