DIAGNOSIS

Do you believe you might have varicose vein problems? Pain, burning sensation in the legs, numbness, heaviness, and fatigue are all symptoms to look out for. To determine whether your varicose veins need to be treated, a proper diagnosis must be issued by a professional. Clinical consultations, diagnostics and some treatment procedures covered under O.H.I.P. (Ontario Health Insurance Plan).

Your case history contains your medical, surgical and allergic reaction history, with special consideration for possible blood clots in the vessels or thrombophlebitis.

We also look into your family history of varicose veins or phlebitis, as varicose veins are genetic. Each patient is submitted to a full case history review that includes family and personal medical history.

A Doppler Ultrasound test is used to diagnose vein problems. The test finds and assesses both deep and superficial veins in order to diagnose phlebitis, i.e. blood clots, and the level of venous insufficiency.

This accurate test uses cutting-edge technology to measure the size of dilated vessels, and to hear, view, and quantify blood flow in incompetent valves.

Whatever your varicose vein problem, we are able to define it and find the most appropriate treatment.

Patients are fully informed of the extent of the treatment. A full clinical and technical examination (Doppler or duplex ultrasound) is performed, and, based on the findings of this examination, the physician will recommend, and implement, a specific course of treatment. Each case is unique, and each patient is important.

Whether you are experiencing leg pain, fatigue or any other symptom, the sooner we determine the cause of your pain, the sooner we can relieve it.

A Venous Doppler Examination uses ultrasound to create a two-dimensional picture of your veins. This test is helpful in diagnosing a blood clot or a DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis.) This exam may also be used to measure the size of the vein being used for bypass surgery.

What kind of symptoms might I experience if I had a deep vein thrombosis?
There are many signs and symptoms that you may experience such as:

• Limb swelling
• Pain/Tenderness
• Acute shortness of breath (occasionally a pulmonary embolus or blood clot in the lung is caused by a blood clot in the leg which has broken off a traveled to the lung)

A Venous Reflux Examination is a noninvasive test that is used to test the valves in the veins of the legs.

What can I expect during the examination?
A small sensor will be taped to your leg. The technologist will ask you to pump your foot up and down several times. The pumping action pushes blood up the leg toward the heart. The sensor measures how quickly the blood returns down to the ankle. From these measurements, the technologist can determine if the valves are working properly (venous valvular insufficiency.)
Your doctor will receive the test results in approximately 2 working days.

What kind of symptoms might I experience if I have venous valvular insufficiency? 
There are many signs and symptoms that you may experience such as:

• Chronic lower leg/ankle swelling
• An ulcer (or sore) that won’t heal
• Skin discoloration of the lower legs or ankles