Varicose Veins examination

Question 1

What signs to look for on varicose veins examination of legs? (11)

Answer 1

Scars
Venous Eczema
Lipodermatosclerosis
Haemosiderin Staining
Ulcers
Saphena Varix
Varicose Veins
Pallor
Cyanosis
Gangrene
Hair Loss

Question 2

What is Venous Eczema?

Answer 2

Red Blisters, Itchy

Question 3

What is Lipodermatosclerosis?

Answer 3

Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Question 4

What does lipodermatosclerosis look like?

Answer 4

Induntation
Erythema
Inverted Champagne bottle

Question 5

What to look for on palpation of varicose veins legs exam?

Answer 5

Tenderness for Phlebitis
Hard Cord Like (Thrombophlebitis)
Temp
Pitting Oedema
Pulses

Question 6

What is the Tap test in Varicose Veins?

Answer 6

Lower limb vein valve competency

1. Place one finger onto saphenofemoral junction
2. Using other hand tap varicose vein assessing which should be located further down leg

Question 7

Where is saphenofemoral junction?

Answer 7

1-4cm lateral and 3-4cm below pubic tubercle

Question 8

What is auscultation in varicose veins examination for?

Answer 8

AV Malformation

Use bell of stethescope
auscultate over veins for bruits

Question 9

What is Trendelburg Test?

Answer 9

Assess 1 leg at time
Lie flat and lift leg as far as possible
Milk veins towards SFJ
Tourquiet over SFJ and ask patient to stand

Question 10

What is Perthe Test?

Answer 10

Tourniquet at proximal mid thigh level while standing
ask patient to walk around room
If distended or increased = deep venous valvular insufficiency

Question 11

What other tests would you want to do in varicose veins exam? (4)

Answer 11

Peripheral arterial exam
doppler ulstrasound
venous duplex
ABPI