# Introduction

INTRODUCTION

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 health- related quality of  life make it a very important area of  surgical practice. Surgical intervention has been revolutionised by /uni00A0 the development of  endovenous techniques, and level 1 evidence has demonstrated that treatment can be associated with very high clinical- and cost-e ff ectiveness. Despite the considerable importance placed on lower limb function during the manage ment of  orthopaedic and arterial diseases, venous diseases are often forgotten or dismissed as cosmetic practice. An under standing of  the nature and management of  venous disease is critical to address this imbalance and improve the quality of patients’ lives.