Varicose Veins

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Diagnosis
Treatment
Symptoms

Diagnosis

Like spider veins, one aspect of diagnosis of varicose veins is simple: if you've got 'em, you've got 'em. But it is the evaluation of the cause of the varicose veins that is more important. Varicose veins occur usually according to well-known anatomical patterns. Varicose veins, in the majority of cases, are a disease of the superficial veins. The Great Saphenous Vein (a superficial vein) starts at the inner ankle, runs up the inner leg and thigh, and empties into the Femoral Vein (a deep vein) at the groin. The Short Saphenous Vein (a superficial vein) runs up the back of the calf and empties into the Popliteal Vein (a deep vein) behind the knee. In addition, there are communicating, or perforator, veins that connect the deep veins to the superficial veins in various locations of the legs. In the past, indirect methods were used to look for which veins had bad valves. Today we have sophisticated ultrasound technology that allows us to clearly view the leg veins and assess whether their valves are functioning properly or not. Rather then try to make an educated guess at which might be the abnormal vein, the ultrasound shows us exactly which vein is abnormal, and how much of its length is abnormal. Treatment can then be planned according to the ultrasound findings.

Contact NCTVI

Northern California Thoracic and Vascular Institute Clinic

5 Medical Plaza, Suite 140
Roseville, CA 95661

Phone (916) 783-8114

Fax (916) 783-8166

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