Varicose veins are caused by disease or faulty valves in the veins which allow blood to flow backwards in the legs when standing.  This is called venous reflux. 

Varicose veins may cause aching and pain, itching or leg swelling.  In the long term some patients may develop leg ulcers and this can be preceded by discolouration and thickening of the skin around the ankle. 

The main investigation for varicose veins is Duplex ultrasound.  This scan is an outpatient procedure and involves only jelly on the skin – no needles or painful procedures.  The ultrasound detects reflux in the veins.  This means that any operation can deal with the underlying cause of the varicose veins as well as the visible varicose veins themselves.

A full range of investigations are available for other vascular conditions such as peripheral vascular disease (lack of blood supply to the legs), aneurysms and carotid artery disease.  These investigations include angiography, CT scans and magnetic resonance scans.