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Varicose veins - Symptom

Alternative Names

Varicosity; Varicosis

Symptoms:

Pain in the legs: fullness, heaviness, aching
Visible, enlarged veins
Mild swelling of ankles
Skin at the ankle discolored brown
Skin ulcers near the ankle

Signs and tests:

The diagnosis is based primarily on the characteristic appearance of the legs when the patient is standing or is seated with the legs dangling. At times a physician may order a duplex ultrasound exam of extremity to see blood flow and characterize the vessels, and to rule out other disorders of the legs. Rarely, an angiography of the legs may be performed to rule out other disorders.

Varicose veins

Circulatory system

Reviewed last on: 8/8/2008
Charlotte Grayson, MD, Private Practice specializing in Internal Medicine, Smyrna, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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