Varicose Veins II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care

Varicose veins can manifest as a heavy, aching sensation or pain after prolonged standing or sitting, exercise intolerance, itching or burning sensations in the legs, edema, and nocturnal leg cramps.

A duplex ultrasound scan diagnoses varicose veins by evaluating venous anatomy, valvular competence, and obstruction.

Next, conservative treatment involves resting with limb elevation, performing leg-strengthening exercises such as walking, and wearing graduated compression stockings.

Nonsurgical procedures include sclerotherapy, which involves injecting a liquid or foam sclerosing substance, such as polidocanol, directly into the veins to chemically ablate them.

Endovenous ablation, such as radiofrequency ablation, uses thermal energy inside the vein. As the device is withdrawn, the heat collapses and seals the vein.

Laser ablation uses a laser fiber tip to seal the vein.

Lastly, surgical interventions involve ligating the entire vein and removing its incompetent branches.

An alternative technique is ambulatory phlebectomy, which involves pulling the varicosity through a small incision and then excising the vein.