Tests for Varicose Veins

In order to determine if you have varicose veins, the main diagnostic tool is ultrasound – in particular a duplex ultrasound along with an in-depth consultation with the consultant.

Some doctors will argue that a duplex ultrasound is not needed and a simple (much cheaper) Doppler scan is sufficient.

However, a duplex ultrasound not only shows where the veins are and which ones are not working properly (incompetent veins) it also shows the flow of blood; both direction and speed.

For successful vein surgery, we need to know which way blood is flowing. In normal veins, blood flows upwards towards the heart. If a vein is blocked, there is no flow. If the vein isn't working (i.e. the valves aren't working) blood flows back the wrong way, causing all of the problems that varicose veins and venous reflux can cause.

At the Whiteley clinic we have insisted since 1998 that all our patients have a duplex ultrasound before surgery to ensure the correct surgery is planned. We also use the ultrasound during the procedures to ensure that all the veins are dealt with properly.

And this is why we have such good results with less than 3% recurrence of varicose veins over five years, compared with 80% recurrence over five years for veins that have been stripped.

If you are having a consultation with another surgeon at another clinic, please check to make sure that you are having a duplex ultrasound and not just a Doppler scan.

What is Duplex Ultrasound?

Ultrasound is a non-invasive test.

It is:

• perfectly safe
• uses no needles or drugs
• doesn't use x-rays or any harmful radiation
• is done as an out-patient

The worst bit is the cold of the gel that is put on your skin to help pass the ultrasound probe over the skin of your legs! As in a scan for pregnancy, the image is displayed on a screen so we can see the veins and bloodflow.

Any incompetent veins (veins where the valves are not working properly) are marked on a chart and your treatment plan will be discussed in depth at your second consultation with the surgeon, making sure you are clear as to what your options are and what we recommend.

We carry out a range of procedures and treatments that will give you lasting results. Contact us to make an appointment.

For the full details on ultrasounds – read more here