What Are the Different Diagnostic Tests Used by Vein Doctor near Me NY to Diagnose Vein Disease?
If you are experiencing symptoms such as spider veins, varicose veins, achy legs, or fatigue, you should seek out a vein doctor near me NY to determine if these symptoms are due to vein disease. When you make an appointment with a vein doctor at a reputable vein clinic, the vein specialist will conduct a test called a Duplex Ultrasound.
What is a Duplex Ultrasound?
You might have heard of ultrasounds in the context of pregnancy, but it can be used anywhere on the body to produce black-and-white images on the inside of the body. A Duplex Ultrasound takes the typical ultrasound one step further by incorporating Doppler, which shows the vein doctor the speed and direction of blood flow in a blood vessel. This helps then determine if the blood is having difficulty passing through the veins, if it is travelling in the opposite direction, and if there are veins or parts of the body that are just not receiving enough blood. These are all indicators of venous insufficiency.
What happens during a Duplex Ultrasound?
This ultrasound imaging test only takes about 30 minutes and is non-invasive, as there is no radiation or injection of any medication. The process begins with application of a warm gel to the legs to allow a device called a transducer to transmit sound waves that produce images of blood vessels that show up on a computer monitor connected to the transducer.
The ultrasound technician at the vein center near me will start by imaging the deep veins in the legs to make sure there are no blood clots or, in rare cases, deep venous reflux. Then they look at the saphenous veins (GSV and SSV) to see if there is blood flow in the wrong direction, which means the valves in the veins are not working. A tiny amount of blood flow in the wrong direction is considered normal, but blood flow for more than 500 milliseconds (1/2 of one second) in the wrong direction is called venous reflux.
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT
Experiencing symptoms of vein disease? Book an appointment with one of the our Vein Specialists in New York.
After this, they trace any varicose veins to see where they lead, and this information can help the vein doctor develop an appropriate treatment plan. 99% of the time, duplex ultrasound is the only test needed to diagnose vein disease. In rare instances, vein doctors will also use Magnetic Resonance Venogram and CT Venogram to further investigate, but these diagnostic tests are not recommended in most cases.
Compression Stockings
The concept and implementation of compression stockings to improve circulation came from Roman soldiers, who used to wrap leather straps around their legs to improve circulation of blood while marching.
Compression socks improve blood circulation by applying pressure around the ankles and feet, thus pushing more blood to the heart. These stockings can be useful to help doctors distinguish vein disease from other causes of leg pain. For example, if a patient has significant achiness, but only a small amount of reflux on the duplex ultrasound, a vein doctor may ask the patient to wear compression stockings and ask them to report if they feel better at the end of the day when wearing stockings compared to when they don’t.
Although there are many compression socks available over-the-counter or online, it’s important to get properly fitted for compression stockings by a vein doctor at a vein center near me. Different types of compression socks apply varying levels of pressure, so getting a proper fitting from a vein doctor will help you stay safe by avoiding excess pressure on your legs if it is not necessary.
In addition to use of compression stocking as a diagnostic tool, some insurance companies may require a patient to try stockings prior to treating the vein disease. Although vein doctors would always recommend treatment right away, insurance companies tend to avoid paying for procedures if possible. Compression socks cannot treat varicose veins permanently, but they can minimize some of the symptoms and pain for the time that they are worn, and will help reach a diagnosis that will inform long-term vein treatment.
Where can I find a vein doctor near me NY to get diagnostic tests for vein disease?
If you have spider veins or varicose veins, and need to determine if you have a vein disease, it is essential to set up an appointment with a specialist in venous medicine at a vein center to report your symptoms and get a professional evaluation. The doctor may recommend that you get a Duplex Ultrasound, compression socks, or both.
If you get an appointment for a Duplex Ultrasound, be sure to hydrate and avoid caffeine on the day of an ultrasound. The bigger the veins are, the easier it is to see venous reflux, and caffeine causes venous vasoconstriction, so it is best to avoid it. In addition, keep in mind that at a vein treatment center, the ultrasound is performed in a warm room with the patient in the standing position to maximize the amount of blood in the veins in the legs.
If you are recommended by your vein doctor to wear compression socks, you should wear them during the day so that blood does not pool in the lower legs. if you wear compression socks at night, prop your legs up to encourage blood flow in the right direction. Even if the stockings aren’t a good long-term solution, they can be useful for diagnostic purposes to eventually lead to vein treatment that can result in lasting results.
If you are looking for a “vein doctor near me NY” you can contact us at the Vein Treatment Clinic location in New York City, conveniently located in the heart of New York in Midtown. The vein treatment center is close to notable landmarks such as Hudson Yard and Bryant Park, and is easily accessible, as the vein clinic is in close vicinity to both Grand Central Station and Penn Station.
You can schedule your consultation at our vein center with one of our incredible vein doctors and be assured of the highest-quality care. Dr. Juan Montoya is a Yale-trained double board-certified specialist in venous medicine and cardiothoracic surgery, and is bilingual in English and Spanish. Dr. Sareh Rajaee is a Yale-trained vascular surgeon with extensive experience in vein and arterial disease. Click here for directions and check out the Vein Treatment Clinic location in New York City for vein treatment today!
MEET OUR NEW YORK
VEIN SPECIALISTS
Dr.MICHAEL NGUYEN
Veins Specialist NYC
He leads the team of vein doctors offering the highest level of care at our Spider and Varicose Vein Treatment Center NYC.
HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL
Dr. JUAN D. MONTOYA
Veins Specialists NYC
Highly sought after for his expertise and excellent outcomes in Vein Treatments in Manhattan.
YALE MEDICAL SCHOOL
Dr. SAREH RAJAEE
Veins Specialists NYC
She has extensive experience with vein performing procedures based on New York City.
HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL
Learn more about our clinics, doctors and procedures!
Contact us
Call us
Speak instantly with one of our team members; they will answer any questions you may have regarding insurance coverage, booking an appointment and our vein treatment locations. (646) 859-1833
Book online
Visit our Book Appointment page and instantly request an appointment at the New York vein center near you. We offer Free Insurance Verification before your appointment.
Get directions
Learn how to easily get to the New York vein center.
FEATURED POSTS BY VEIN DOCTORS
Best vein treatment for varicose veins in Bronx, New York
Best vein treatment for varicose veins in Bronx, New YorkVaricose veins affect millions of people, causing discomfort, swelling, and even self-consciousness about leg appearance. If you're in the Bronx, New York, and seeking relief, you're in luck, because the best...
Find the Best Vein Specialists in Brighton Beach, NY
Find the Best Vein Specialists in Brighton Beach, NYYou’re enjoying a sunny day at Brighton Beach, but you can't fully relax because of the discomfort in your legs. Maybe you've noticed some bulging veins or small spider veins creeping up, causing discomfort and leg...
Treat Venous Insufficiency in Brighton Beach, NY Vein Clinic
Treat Venous Insufficiency in Brighton Beach, NY Vein ClinicYou have started noticing the veins on your legs becoming more prominent—what you once thought was just a cosmetic issue now brings discomfort. Perhaps your legs feel heavy or achy at the end of the day or...
What is the main cause of varicose veins?
Physical Signs of Varicose Veins Varicose veins are enlarged blood vessels that appear dark purple, green, blue, or red. They have a knotted and twisted appearance, as opposed to healthy veins, which run in a relatively straight line. They are most commonly found in...