Leg vein and artery ultrasound in Slavuta

What a leg vessel ultrasound shows

A standard ultrasound shows the vessel walls and the space inside. Color Doppler adds the movement of blood, so the doctor can see which way it flows and how fast. Combining the two modes is what’s called a duplex scan.

In the veins, the doctor checks the valves. Healthy valves let blood flow only upward, toward the heart. If a valve doesn’t close, blood flows back down, which is called reflux. Twisted veins under the skin often appear because of a problem in a large vein that can’t be seen from the outside, so without an ultrasound the doctor can’t choose a treatment. The doctor also checks the deep and superficial veins for blood clots.

In the arteries, the scan shows plaques, narrowed sections and places where blood flow is blocked. Arteries are checked when your calves hurt when you walk, your feet are cold or sores on your legs heal poorly.

What happens during a leg vein and artery ultrasound

No special preparation is needed. You’ll be asked to undress to your underwear. Veins are mostly checked while you stand, because then the weight of the blood presses on the valves and shows whether they work. The doctor moves the probe with gel from the groin to the foot, squeezes your calf by hand or asks you to hold your breath and bear down, and watches where the blood flows. The doctor also checks the deep veins by pressing on them with the probe. Arteries are usually scanned while you lie on your back.

You will feel the pressure of the probe, and it may be uncomfortable over a sore vein. If you have had a vein ultrasound before, bring the report so the doctor can compare the results.

What happens after the ultrasound

The ultrasound report is reviewed by a Viva Clinic vascular surgeon. If you book directly with the surgeon, they will do the color Doppler vein scan themselves after examining your legs. The doctor then compares the exam with the results and suggests a treatment plan. Laser treatment doesn’t suit every vein: for example, a vein may be too twisted or lie too close under the skin. So the vascular surgeon chooses the treatment method, including whether laser treatment of varicose veins (EVLA) suits you, based on the ultrasound results. The article on early signs of varicose veins describes how the condition usually starts, and the article on laser varicose vein treatment explains the procedure and recovery.

It is also better to buy compression stockings after an exam and ultrasound. Compression should not be used with some diseases of the leg arteries, and poorly fitted stockings squeeze the leg and hinder blood flow. The doctor will advise on the class and size.

A leg vessel ultrasound at Viva Clinic is paid. Patients come to Slavuta for varicose vein tests and treatment from Netishyn, Shepetivka, Khmelnytskyi, the Khmelnytskyi and Rivne regions and from all over Ukraine. Other tests at the polyclinic are listed on the ultrasound and diagnostics page.

When you need urgent help

See a doctor the same day if one leg suddenly swells and hurts, especially in the calf, or a vein becomes hard, red and painful. These can be signs of a blood clot.

Call an ambulance on 103 if you suddenly become short of breath, have chest pain or cough up blood. You also need an ambulance if a leg suddenly turns cold and pale, goes numb and hurts badly, or if a varicose vein bleeds. Until the ambulance arrives, lie down, raise the leg and press firmly on the wound with a clean cloth.