Abstract

As varicose veins are being treated more frequentely in a outpatient setting it is becoming 

increasingly important to inform patients of the potential for bandage related nerve injuries and 

how to avoid them.

A nerve trauma of the medial branch of the superficial peroneal nerve can be caused by the 

bandage applying too much pressure either primarily or secondary due to swelling and 

haematoma. This type of nerve trauma  is more commonly seen when (hiking) shoe laces are 

too tight (the so-called „shoe lace injury“).

Patients undergoing varicose vein treatement need to be informed and instructed to 

immediately loosen the bandage when too tight in order to avoid an injury to the medial 

branches of the superficial peroneal nerve.