Lower limb vein Doppler ultrasound at OpenMed Warsaw and Płock
Doppler ultrasound of the lower limb veins checks whether blood drains properly from the legs, whether the veins are patent and whether the valves inside them work correctly. The examination is performed, among other reasons, for swelling, varicose veins, a feeling of heavy legs and suspected deep vein thrombosis.
Lower limb vein Doppler ultrasound is available at OpenMed in Warsaw and at OpenMed in Płock. The examination is non-invasive and does not require a contrast agent or any special preparation. Once it is finished you receive a result with a description of the assessed vessels.
When should you have a lower limb vein Doppler ultrasound?
The examination helps establish whether symptoms are caused by abnormal blood flow in the venous system. It is performed both to diagnose new symptoms and to monitor previously diagnosed venous disease.
Indications for Doppler ultrasound may include:
- swelling of one or both legs,
- varicose veins and dilated superficial veins,
- a feeling of heaviness, fullness or tiredness in the legs,
- pain and tenderness in the calf,
- skin changes around the lower legs,
- suspected or previous deep vein thrombosis,
- recurrent phlebitis,
- qualification for varicose vein treatment and follow-up after a procedure.
Not every swollen or painful leg has a vascular cause. Similar symptoms can accompany diseases of the joints, lymphatic system, heart or kidneys. Doppler ultrasound helps determine whether the source of the problem lies in the veins.
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Doppler ultrasound for suspected thrombosis
One of the important uses of the examination is diagnosing deep vein thrombosis. A clot can restrict or block blood flow in a vein. During the ultrasound the doctor assesses whether the vessels are patent, how blood flows through them and whether they compress under pressure from the probe. Sudden swelling of one leg, pain or tenderness in the calf and a clear difference in the circumference of the limbs require medical assessment. If sudden breathlessness, chest pain, coughing up blood or fainting also occur, urgent medical help is needed because of the possibility of pulmonary embolism.
What does Doppler ultrasound show in varicose veins?
Visible varicose veins are only part of the problem. To plan further management, it is necessary to check how the whole venous system accessible to the examination is working.
Healthy valves help keep blood flowing towards the heart. If they stop closing properly, blood can flow backwards in the veins. This is called venous reflux and is one of the mechanisms of chronic venous insufficiency.
Doppler ultrasound makes it possible to locate the incompetent segments of the veins and assess the direction of flow. This matters before planned varicose vein treatment, because the appearance of the legs alone is not enough to choose the right treatment method.
What does a leg vein examination look like?
The doctor applies gel to the skin and moves the ultrasound probe along the course of the vessels. The doctor assesses the deep and superficial veins and the blood flowing through them. In selected places the doctor gently presses the leg with the probe. A normally patent vein should compress under this pressure.
If the aim of the examination is to diagnose venous insufficiency, the doctor also performs tests to check valve function and the presence of reflux. Part of the ultrasound may be carried out standing, because this makes it easier to assess how the venous system behaves under the effect of gravity.
The examination does not use X-rays and does not require anaesthesia. Pressure from the probe may be unpleasant if the leg is painful or swollen, but it usually lasts only a short time.
How to prepare for a vein Doppler ultrasound?
You do not need to fast for the examination. You can eat and drink as usual and take your medication, unless your doctor has advised otherwise. Choose clothing that makes it easy to expose the whole of both legs.
If you have earlier Doppler ultrasound results, bring them with you. Also tell the doctor about any previous thrombosis, earlier varicose vein treatment and any anticoagulant medication you take. Do not stop taking it on your own before the examination.
What happens after the examination?
Further management depends on the result. In venous insufficiency, what matters most is which veins are incompetent and where the reflux occurs. The result can be used when qualifying for varicose vein treatment.
If the examination confirms thrombosis, medical assessment and appropriate treatment are needed. In such a situation the ultrasound result should not be set aside for a later consultation.
A normal vein ultrasound also provides important information. It rules out some vascular causes and, if symptoms persist, allows the diagnostic work-up to be directed elsewhere.
Lower limb vein Doppler ultrasound - FAQ
Ultrasound with a compression test is the basic imaging examination used when deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs is suspected. It assesses vein patency and detects thrombotic changes.
The examination is non-invasive. While assessing patency, the doctor presses the veins with the probe. If the leg is painful or swollen, this may cause brief discomfort.
No. You can eat and drink as usual. The examination also does not require stopping any medication, unless your doctor advises otherwise for a specific reason.
Yes. The examination establishes which veins are incompetent and where reflux occurs. This information is needed to plan the appropriate treatment method.
The time depends on the indication and the scope of the examination. A quick assessment for thrombosis is different from a detailed examination of the superficial system and valves before planned varicose vein treatment.