Venous Ultrasound for Varicose Veins

A venous ultrasound shows the veins in your legs and how blood moves through them. It can find valves that let blood flow backward, called venous reflux. When we evaluate varicose veins or venous insufficiency, the scan helps us understand the problem and plan treatment.

What Is a Venous Ultrasound?

A venous ultrasound uses sound waves to create pictures of your veins. Doppler ultrasound measures blood flow. A venous duplex ultrasound combines these pictures and flow measurements.

A venous reflux ultrasound checks for backward flow through faulty valves. Ultrasound vein mapping records where the veins run to help plan treatment. These terms describe parts or purposes of a vein examination, rather than a separate treatment for each name.

When Is Venous Ultrasound Recommended?

We may recommend ultrasound when you have varicose veins, leg swelling, heaviness, aching or skin changes that suggest venous insufficiency. We start with your symptoms, medical history and an examination.

A few cosmetic spider veins do not automatically mean you need an ultrasound. The decision depends on your symptoms and what we find during the examination.

What Does the Ultrasound Check?

The scan can show:

• The location and size of your veins
• The direction of blood flow
• Valves that allow backward flow
• Possible blockages or blood clots

For varicose vein treatment, we use these findings to identify which veins may be causing the problem.

Venous Reflux Ultrasound Versus a Blood-Clot Ultrasound

Both tests use ultrasound, but they answer different questions. A reflux study checks whether vein valves allow blood to flow backward. A blood-clot study mainly looks for a clot, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The reason for your scan determines which checks are needed.

What Happens During the Exam?

Gel is placed on your skin, and a handheld probe is moved over your leg to examine the veins and measure blood flow. You may be asked to change position during the scan. The steps depend on the study ordered. There are no incisions, and ultrasound does not use radiation.

How to Prepare

Leg vein ultrasound usually needs little preparation. Our office will give you any instructions for your examination.

How Results Guide Treatment

The veins you can see do not always show where the problem starts. Ultrasound helps us find a vein with backward flow that may need treatment first.

The findings help us plan radiofrequency ablation (RFA) when appropriate. Vein mapping can also help plan treatment of some remaining surface veins, such as stab phlebectomy. We consider the scan together with your symptoms and examination; having an ultrasound does not mean you will need a procedure.

Does Insurance Cover Venous Ultrasound?

Insurance covers venous ultrasound to evaluate varicose veins and related symptoms. Coverage depends on your plan and provider network. Some plans require a referral. Read more about insurance for vein evaluation and treatment.

Scheduling

If you have painful, swollen or visible leg veins, request a consultation. Our San Francisco and Daly City offices can help arrange an evaluation and determine whether you need a venous ultrasound.