Venous Disease

HOW THEY’RE DIAGNOSED

We will look to diagnose varicose veins using duplex ultrasound.  During the assessment with one of our vascular scientists, an ultrasound probe is run over the skin surface using a hypoallergenic gel, which produces a picture of the veins. If they are faulty, this is seen by visualising the flow of blood.  Your deep veins and smaller (superficial veins) will be scanned which will also produce a vein map for the vascular surgeon to determine which treatment will be the best option for you. 

VARICOSE VEINS

Varicose veins are tortuous veins that are usually blue or purple in colour. They are most commonly seen on legs. Apart from causing general discomfort, varicose veins may also lead to swollen ankles and painful muscle cramps. Varicose veins develop when the valves within superficial veins stop working. In a normal vein, backward-flow of blood is prevented by a number of valves that open and close in intervals. When these valves stop functioning properly, blood gets caught up in the veins, resulting in swollen varicose veins. Although varicose veins do not particularly result in any serious health hazard, they do impart an unpleasant appearance to the area it develops in. Varicose veins can develop making your leg swollen, producing skin changes and ending in ulceration.

SPIDER VEINS & THREAD VEINS

Like varicose veins but smaller. They also are closer to the surface of the skin than varicose veins. Often, they are red or blue. They can look like tree branches or spider webs with their short, jagged lines. They can be found on the legs and face and can cover either a very small or very large area of skin.