Venous Ultrasound Evaluation for Varicose Veins

How Varicose Vein Disease Is Diagnosed

Varicose veins are most often caused by chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a medical condition in which vein valves fail to direct blood efficiently back to the heart. Because vein disease develops beneath the skin, a visual exam alone is not enough to determine the cause, severity, or safest treatment approach.

A venous ultrasound evaluation for varicose veins is the most accurate and reliable method for diagnosing venous reflux and guiding appropriate treatment decisions.

What a Venous Ultrasound Evaluates

Venous ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging study that allows real-time assessment of blood flow in the leg veins. During the examination, the ultrasound evaluates:

• The direction of blood flow in superficial and deep veins
• The presence and severity of venous reflux (backward blood flow)
• The function of vein valves
• Connections between the superficial and deep venous systems
• Incompetent perforator veins, when present

This information allows accurate classification of venous disease and helps identify which veins are contributing to symptoms.

Why Ultrasound Is Essential Before Treatment

Effective treatment of varicose veins requires identifying the source of reflux, not just treating visible veins. Treating surface veins alone without addressing underlying reflux often leads to recurrence.

Venous ultrasound ensures that:

• Treatment is medically appropriate and targeted
• The correct veins are treated, in the correct order
• Unnecessary or ineffective procedures are avoided
• Patient safety is prioritized

This evaluation forms the foundation of a staged and individualized treatment plan when treatment is recommended.

Physician-Performed Evaluation at IVSI

At International Vein & Skin Institute, Dr. Jozef Tryzno, MD, RVT, DABVLM personally performs all initial venous ultrasound evaluations. As the physician who both diagnoses venous disease and performs all vein procedures, Dr. Tryzno uses ultrasound findings to guide precise, medically necessary treatment decisions.

This physician-led approach allows for:

• Direct correlation between ultrasound findings and patient symptoms
• Real-time discussion of results
• Continuity of care from diagnosis through treatment

What to Expect During the Exam

• The ultrasound is performed in the office
• No needles, injections, or contrast agents are used
• The examination is painless and typically well tolerated
• The test usually takes 30–60 minutes, depending on complexity

Patients remain awake and may be asked to change positions during the study to ensure accurate assessment of blood flow.

What the Results Mean

Venous ultrasound findings help determine whether venous insufficiency is present, which veins are contributing to symptoms, and whether treatment may be recommended.

Not all patients require procedural treatment. In some cases, conservative management or monitoring may be advised based on ultrasound findings and reported symptoms.

How Ultrasound Results Are Used in Treatment Decisions

Ultrasound measurements can vary depending on testing conditions. Studies performed early in the morning, when a patient is well rested, or in a reverse Trendelenburg position may underestimate reflux severity compared with studies performed after prolonged standing or a full workday.

In addition, vein size or reflux duration does not always correlate with symptom severity. Pain perception and functional impact vary widely between individuals.

For this reason, ultrasound findings are not used as the sole measure of disease severity or medical necessity. Treatment decisions are based on the complete clinical picture, including patient symptoms, functional limitations, physical findings, and ultrasound results, in accordance with accepted medical standards.

At International Vein & Skin Institute, treatment recommendations are guided primarily by patient symptoms rather than ultrasound values alone. Factors such as daily activity level, occupation, body weight, muscle tone, genetic predisposition, and hormonal influences may all affect symptom perception and disease impact.

Schedule a Venous Ultrasound Evaluation

If you have symptoms of venous insufficiency or varicose veins, a venous ultrasound evaluation is the first step toward an accurate diagnosis.

📞 Call (847) 518-9999 to schedule an evaluation at International Vein & Skin Institute.

Medical Disclosure
This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not replace a personalized medical evaluation. Diagnostic and treatment recommendations are based on individual clinical findings and ultrasound results.