Assessment

At your initial appointment a comprehensive assessment will be carried out. We want to gain an understanding of what your particular concerns are. You will be asked a series of questions related to your legs and veins. These will include any symptoms you may be having, relevant medical conditions and any previous surgery or interventions. If you are wearing trousers or restrictive clothing you will be placed in a gown. This allows us to identify the area and distribution of the veins/thread veins, as well as any areas of skin change/ulceration. It will also give you the opportunity to point out any areas of concern that you may have.

After the initial inspection a colour duplex scan will be carried out. This involves applying ultrasound jelly to the leg. The leg is then scanned using an ultrasound machine. The purpose of this is to identify the feeding veins that run beneath the surface of the skin. These are not usually visible to the naked eye but are invariably the source of the problem. Colour Duplex is now considered the gold standard in the assessment of venous disease and is essential to provide individualised bespoke treatment plans. Zola Mzimba at the veins Northwest has extensive experience of venous duplex imaging and is also a Registered Phlebology Sonographer. You can be reassured that you will be receiving the highest standard of assessment and care at Veins Northwest.

Treatment Plan

After your scan the findings will be discussed, as well as treatment options. In most cases your bespoke treatment can be planned on the day of the assessment. Very occasionally further specialised examinations may be required in order to plan your treatment, such as duplex scan carried out in a vascular laboratory, CT scanning or MRI scanning. If this is the case it will be discussed with you at the time. Once your treatment plan has been agreed you will be given the relevant treatment information, including the risks and expected benefits. You will also be given this information in written form. We will usually discuss and complete the consent paperwork at this visit. This gives you the opportunity to read through all the relevant information at your leisure, prior to attending for treatment. This will also give you time to review the discussion and plans. If you then have any further questions they can be asked on the day you attend for treatment or if necessary another appointment can be arranged prior to treatment.