This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Sign in
Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages without signing in

Inspection

Authoring team

Expose the legs and ask the patient to stand. Look for veins which although collapsed when lying down, become visible on standing.

Observe:

  • visible subcutaneous veins - if these are dilated and tortuous, they are varicose veins; note their size and course - record this on a drawing of the leg - and determine whether they are part of the long or short saphenous system.
  • venous stars - minute veins radiating from a single feeding vein
  • any difference in the size of each leg, especially at the ankle - look for signs of oedema
  • eczema, pigmentation, ulceration

Create an account to add page annotations

Create a free account

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.