Diagnosing Varicose Veins

Diagnosing Varicose Veins

The diagnosis of varicose veins or venous insufficiency begins with a thorough history and physical. A patient’s history is very important in the initial consultation as most patients will describe a family history of varicose veins, especially in the mother or father. Our office is inundated with patient’s whose mother or father either neglected their painful varicose veins or who had major and painful surgery many years ago. They are often surprised to find out that the same varicose vein surgeries that required hospitalization ten years ago now can be done in twenty minutes with a ‘single-stitch’ with no downtime.

During the consultation, varicose veins are examined with a special vein lite and ultrasound in order to map out and document the presence of varicose vein disease. The ultrasound examination provides a real time and detailed view of the lower extremity venous system. Thankfully, neither the varicose vein consultation, the varicose vein transillumination, or the varicose vein ultrasound is painful. The diagnostic tests are all painless techniques. In fact, after a full consultation, most patients are extremely relieved that the answer to their varicose vein problems can be accomplished in as little as twenty minutes in an outpatient clinic setting.
 
The varicose vein screening is performed using painless ultrasound during the initial consultation.  The spider veins and varicose veins in your legs and thighs are evaluated and a special test is done to check for venous insufficiency. During the ultrasound examination, patients are often surprised to see how extensive and complicated their varicose veins are and how close the varicose veins are beneath the skin. The ultrasound map often depicts details not visible from surface examination of the skin, that is, details that make treatment more effective. Since each patient and each patient’s leg (right and left) are uniquely different, the varicose vein map helps us configure the optimal plan to eliminate abnormal bulging veins in the legs and thighs, and hidden varicose veins.   The varicose vein treatment thus begins with the a consultation and examination in which we examine all of the spider and varicose veins in the legs and thighs by visual inspection, ultrasound examination, and vein lite illumination.  All of these tests are painless methods to evaluate your varicose veins.  Our office in Santa Monica is fully equipped to perform a comprehensive examination during your first varicose vein consultation.
 
Santa Monica Vein Center is a National Center Excellence for Varicose Vein Disorders.
 
VNUS Closure Procedure. EVLT Varicose Veins. Sclerotherapy. Microphlebectomy. Varicose Vein Stripping. Varicose Vein Surgery. Laser Spider Vein Removal. Telangiectasia Removal.
 
Contact the Varicose Vein and Spider Vein Experts in Los Angeles.
 

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