Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a condition linked to how blood moves through the veins in your legs. It causes symptoms such as leg swelling, aching, or changes to your skin. The diagnostic process involves multiple steps; these include examining your legs for clinical signs and using an ultrasound to view your veins. Here’s some information about this condition and how it’s diagnosed:
Starting With a Physical Examination
During a detailed conversation with your doctor, you can discuss your medical history and any family connections to vein conditions. You’ll also review past injuries and lifestyle factors; this includes work routines and activity levels. This background establishes a foundation for understanding what could be happening. Describing your symptoms in your own words, such as how they feel, when they began, and what affects them, is helpful for determining the next steps.
Following this discussion, your doctor will complete a physical examination. This assessment involves closely inspecting your legs and looking for visible signs linked to CVI. The doctor may also gently press on your skin; this helps them check for swelling. Symptoms of CVI include:
- Varicose veins or smaller spider veins
- Changes in skin color, such as a reddish-brown discoloration around the ankles
- Swelling in the lower legs and ankles
- Skin that appears leathery, dry, or irritated
Using Vascular Ultrasound
A key tool for diagnosing CVI is a vascular ultrasound, sometimes called a duplex study. This non-invasive imaging study plays a fundamental role in the process; it gives the doctor a direct view inside your veins. It combines two types of ultrasound technology for detailed results. The first produces a black-and-white image of your veins and the surrounding tissues, letting the doctor study the structure with clarity.
The second component is called Doppler ultrasound, and it tracks how blood moves through your veins. By following both speed and direction, this test gives the specialist helpful insight into how valves work inside the vessels. In veins that function well, these valves shut tightly, guiding blood in only one direction. In cases of chronic venous insufficiency, the ultrasound may show blood refluxing, or moving back down the leg. This is a key indicator that the valves are not functioning as they should.
During the ultrasound assessment, your doctor may also be attentive to signs of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT is a condition where a blood clot forms in the deep veins, often in the legs. Its presence has the potential to complicate or contribute to chronic venous insufficiency. This is because blood clots may disrupt normal blood flow and damage the delicate vein valves, further impacting circulation. Detecting DVT is fundamental in guiding safe and effective care; it changes the overall management plan and informs which steps the doctor finds helpful next.
Find Treatment for Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Diagnosing chronic venous insufficiency involves combining an evaluation of your health history with specialized imaging. The process starts with a physical exam and a focused discussion about your symptoms. A vascular ultrasound often follows, and it offers clear insight into how blood moves through your veins. These methods help your healthcare professional obtain a clearer picture of your overall vein health. They can then recommend suitable treatments, such as exercising regularly, wearing compression stockings, or sclerotherapy. If you have questions or are showing signs of CVI, contact a vein center today to schedule an appointment.
