In brief: Varicose veins and deep venous thrombosis represent two extremes in diseases of the venous circulatory system; the former occurs mainly in the superficial veins and the latter in the deep veins. In sports-related injury they may appear to be devastating and actually be benign, or they can look harmless and ultimately turn into a life-threatening condition. Three forms of venous disease are discussed in this article: varicose veins of the lower extremities, thrombophlebitis and its complications, and varicose veins of the spermatic cord (varicocele). Treatment methods include exercise, elastic stockings, elevation, warm compresses, and antiinflammatory and anticoagulant medications.