A 60-year-old female patient comes to the clinic with complaints of aching pain and a heavy feeling in her legs, which she says get worse after standing for long periods. On examination, there are visible, blue, twisted veins on her lower legs. What could be the potential cause, and what are the next steps?
This patient's symptoms and physical findings are indicative of varicose veins. They often cause aching pain, heaviness, and are usually visible as twisted, blue or dark purple veins under the skin. The next steps could include further investigation with a Doppler ultrasound to assess the blood flow in the veins and evaluate for any signs of venous insufficiency. Conservative treatment measures, such as compression stockings and leg elevation, can help relieve symptoms. For more severe cases, procedures like sclerotherapy, endovenous laser treatment, or surgical stripping may be considered.