What are Varicose Veins?

Varicose Veins are enlarged veins on the leg which bulge outward and often are associated with discomfort. Veins are the part of the circulatory system that returns blood to the heart after the arteries have delivered the blood to the tissues. The heart pumps the blood down the arteries to the legs and the veins return the blood, pumped by the leg muscle contraction. Varicose veins can worsen over time and produce more pain, leg swelling, blood clots and skin changes.

Leg veins have one-way valves inside them that only allow blood to flow towards the heart, away from our feet. Gravity is constantly pulling the blood downward away from the heart. Under normal conditions the vein valves keep blood moving towards the heart, resisting the pull of gravity. Varicose veins develop when the one-way valves fail to work allowing gravity to keep blood in the legs, distending vein branches. Usually, patients note aching, heaviness, swelling, itching and even restless legs associated with these varicose veins.

The varicose veins that you see on the surface are much larger than normal veins and may have a bluish hue due to the increased volume of blood present. The veins may even feel warm to the touch because of the increased volume of blood present so close to the skin.

A duplex ultrasound scan is performed to establish an accurate diagnosis and facilitate an effective and durable treatment plan so that the risk of future vein problems is minimized.