Summary Varicose Vein Examination

Varicose Vein Examination


General inspection:
 Expose the patient. You should ask to remove their trousers to perform a
lower limb examination. Also offer a chaperone.
 Varicose veins usually follow the path of 2 major veins in the leg:
1. Long saphenous vein
2. Short saphenous vein








Lipodermatosclerosis – areas of brown/red/orange thickened skin cause by
fibrosis of the subcutaneous fat.
 Saphena varix – dilation of the to of the long saphenous vein due to valvular
incompetence.
 Venous eczema – caused by leakage of venous content which is irritant to
skin.
 Venous flare – venous tortuosities around the malleolus.
 Skin pigmentation – caused by haemosiderin deposition in the lower limbs.
 Atrophie blanche – white scar tissue with dotted capillaries.
 Odema
 Venous ulcers

Palpation:
 Feel for temperature disparity and tenderness (heat and tenderness are signs
of superficial thrombophlebitis).
 Pitting odema.