Colour Doppler of the arm and leg blood vessels – in brief
| What is examined | Arteries and veins of the arms and legs |
|---|---|
| What the examination shows | Intensity and direction of blood flow through the vessels |
| Method | Colour Doppler ultrasound; the probe is placed on the skin over the blood vessels |
| Pain | Painless and non-invasive examination |
What is a colour Doppler scan of the arm and leg blood vessels?
Colour Doppler ultrasound of the upper and lower limbs is a painless and non-invasive method used to examine arterial and venous blood vessels, specifically measuring the intensity of blood flow and the direction of blood movement through the vessels. Early detection of changes in the examined blood vessels can significantly reduce the risk of disease complications and assist the vascular surgeon in deciding on potential further surgical treatment. With an ultrasound probe placed on the skin of the limb above the arteries and veins being examined, the structure of the blood vessels is easily visualised. This method can detect thrombosis – the partial or complete blockage of a blood vessel by a blood clot (thrombus), deposits or plaques that narrow the vessel lumen (atherosclerosis), dilation of blood vessels (aneurysm), and determine the degree of dilation.
You can view the prices of ultrasound and Doppler scans in the price list for rheumatology, physical therapy and ultrasound.
