The leg pain from leg veins is typically an ache which tends to occur towards the end of the day or after prolonged standing. The ache is throbbing or burning in nature and tends not to be severe. Relief often occurs if the legs are elevated.
Symptoms are more noticeable towards the bottom of the leg, around the calves and feet. If the distribution of pain is only above the knee then it is unlikely to be due to veins. Sometimes spider veins over the lateral aspect of the upper thighs can cause a mild ache but then symptoms are only localized to a smaller area in the distribution of the veins.
If the pain is severe and continuous, radiates from the buttocks to the feet or causes a person to wake at night then there is a low likelihood that the cause is due to venous disease.
Other causes that need to be considered are:
- Spinal nerve root compression from a lumbosacral disc prolapsed causing referred pain.
- Pelvic pathology referring pain down into the leg. Pelvic infections, ovarian disease or malignant diseases.
- Hip and knee disease can refer pain widely into the lower limb.
An exception to this rule is a relatively rare condition called Post Thrombotic Syndrome (PTS). PTS is an unfortunate condition where a deep vein thrombosis has occurred and subsequently the valves inside the veins become permanently damaged so that the venous system is unable to return de-oxygenated blood back out of the leg and back to the heart. The leg becomes permanently swollen and the skin becomes damaged over time. The ache in the leg is sometimes severe and continuous compression of the leg with medical stockings is required. 
Dr Kemp investigating leg pain.