Varicose veins are diagnosed primarily through clinical examination, where dilated, tortuous superficial veins are visible—commonly in the lower limbs—and may be associated with symptoms such as heaviness, aching, swelling, itching, or skin changes. Duplex ultrasonography is the gold standard investigation, as it confirms venous reflux, assesses valve incompetence, and maps the affected venous system. Intervention is indicated in symptomatic patients with pain, edema, recurrent thrombophlebitis, bleeding, or complications such as skin pigmentation, eczema, lipodermatosclerosis, or venous ulcers. Treatment is also considered for progressive disease or significant cosmetic concerns affecting quality of life. Options include endovenous ablation, sclerotherapy, or surgical ligation depending on severity and anatomical findings.
Vein Specialist Wound care physician General Surgeon, New York, United States
Dr. Raghavendra Rao is a dynamic General Surgeon, educator, and healthcare innovator with a strong foundation in advanced surgical training and emerging medical technologies. Currently practicing at Vein Clinic in the New York City Metropolitan Area, Dr. Rao brings extensive expertise in general and vascular-focused surgical care, combining clinical excellence with a forward-thinking approach to innovation. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Rao is the Founder of Best Surgical Education, LLC, where he leads initiatives focused on innovation in large language models (LLMs) and computer vision applications in healthcare. His work bridges artificial intelligence and surgical education, exploring how advanced technologies can enhance clinical decision-making, training, and patient outcomes. Dr. Rao previously served as a Wound Care Physician at ReNew Wound Care, managing complex wound cases and advancing multidisciplinary approaches to chronic wound management. His academic and fellowship training includes roles at Indiana University School of Medicine and Akron Children’s Hospital, where he worked as a Surgery Fellow, contributing to pediatric general surgery services and engaging in faculty-led research. He completed his general surgery residency training at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and the University of Illinois Metropolitan Hospital Group, with additional dedicated research time at Penn Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System, focusing on laparoscopic and robotic simulation while training mid-level surgical residents. With a career that seamlessly integrates surgery, research, education, and AI-driven healthcare innovation, Dr. Rao represents a new generation of surgeon-leaders committed to advancing both clinical practice and the future of surgical learning.