The history of the patient who presents with varicose veins will be symptoms of leg pain, leg swelling, leg cramps, or fatigue in the legs. Patients may also reports restless leg syndrome or itchy varicose veins. Their primary concern can be as simple as “Are varicose veins dangerous?”
Significant considerations to the vein doctor include: family history of varicose veins or dvt, blood clotting disorders, age, pregnancy and gender. Occupation plays a large role in the development of varicose veins. Employment or lifestyles that require prolonged periods of sitting or standing are inciting factors for venous pooling and venous hypertension. Teachers, bus drivers, bank tellers, transit workers, clerical or office assistants tend to be prone to developing venous insufficiency. These professions tend to be a large majority of patients seen at the best vein clinics New Jersey.
During the evaluation with a NJ vein doctor, it’s important not to lose track of the patients main concerns such as “eliminate spider veins” or “what is most important for you if we proceed with treatment?” For this reason, it’s important that before proceeding with any vein treatment, the vein specialist really consider what is causing the patient discomfort or pain. In the end, if the pain is related to sciatica, pain relief is unlikely with any cure for spider veins.
Important vein specific features include leg swelling (especially if unilateral), prior DVT, prior episodes of superficial thrombophlebitis, and bleeding leg ulcerations.
Vein treatment should also be considered in the context of important co-morbidities including cardiac disease such as prior myocardial infarctions, arrhythmias or heart failure. Vein treatment is elective and should not compromise a patient’s health status. Other considerations include diabetes, know history of blood clots or DVT, stroke, allergic reactions, musculoskeletal issues that can prove difficult for patient positioning. The vein doctor should also be aware of any mobility issues as it is important for patients to be able to recover post vein treatment with sufficient walking that promotes healthy circulation.
Previous surgical history can be relevant especially if the patient has had prior vein stripping or radio-frequency ablation procedures.
The physical examination cannot be overemphasized. Visual inspection for spider veins, varicose veins , and reticular veins will be obvious. The patient should also be inspected for skin discoloration, swelling, leg ulcerations. Scarring or pigmentation from prior ablation or sclerotherapy should also be inspected for. Advanced changes can include stasis dermatitis and even lipodermatosclerosis that in the presence of venous insufficiency should be considered by a vein specialist for treatment. These findings of vein disease form the basis of the CEAP classification of vein disease.
These features of the history and physical examination are hallmarks of a comprehensive examination. Anyone looking for the best vein doctor near me should expect not only a board-certified vein specialist, but also an attentive doctor.
