Varicosity; Varicosis

• Fullness, heaviness, aching, and sometimes pain in the legs
• Visible, enlarged veins
• Mild swelling of ankles
• Brown discoloration of the skin at the ankles
• Skin ulcers near the ankle (this is more often seen in severe cases)

The diagnosis is mainly based on the appearance of the leg veins when you are standing or seated with the legs dangling.

At times a physician may order a duplex ultrasound exam of the extremity to see blood flow in the veins, and to rule out other disorders of the legs (such as a blood clot). Rarely, an angiogram of the legs may be performed to rule out other disorders.

Images

Varicose veins

Circulatory system

Previous Section

Varicose veins Overview

Next Section

Varicose veins Treatment

Review Date: 05/15/2010
Reviewed By: Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Pediatrics and Psychiatry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)