Phlebitis, often also referred to as thrombosed superficial phlebitis, is both different from and related to varicose veins, as thrombosed superficial phlebitis often occurs after prolonged varicose veins and can be seen as a complication of varicose veins. Varicose veins and thrombosed superficial phlebitis are also different in their clinical manifestations. Varicose veins are mainly characterized by tortuous and dilated veins in the lower extremities, whereas phlebitis, or thrombosed superficial phlebitis, is often characterized by a sudden and painful thrombus within a blood vessel that forms a harder cords that can’t be deflated by touching it with the hand.