A common cause of heavy legs is veins that struggle to return blood to the heart, a problem called venous insufficiency. Other causes include narrowed leg arteries, blood clots, nerve problems and tiredness after activity. An ultrasound is worth having when the heaviness is persistent, affects one leg more than the other, or comes with swelling, skin changes or visible varicose veins. At Capri Ultrasound on the Gold Coast, we scan the veins and arteries to find out which it is.
The feeling alone rarely tells you the cause, so here is what to look for and when a scan helps.
The Australian health service healthdirect groups the causes of sore and aching legs into muscle problems, injuries, infections, and problems with blood vessels or nerves. For legs that feel heavy and tired, the blood vessels are often the first thing a doctor considers.
Veins in the legs rely on small valves to stop blood flowing backward. When the valves fail, blood pools in the lower leg and the legs can feel full and heavy, especially by the end of the day. This is chronic venous insufficiency, and it is the process behind most varicose veins. healthdirect lists heaviness, aching, cramping and swollen ankles among the symptoms of varicose veins.
Arteries carry blood to the leg muscles. If they narrow, the muscles may not get enough blood during activity. healthdirect describes this as claudication, where pain from blocked arteries comes on with exercise and eases with rest. A leg artery ultrasound checks the blood flow along the artery.
A clot in a deep vein can cause swelling, pressure, tenderness or a pale leg. This is different from the slow heaviness of venous insufficiency, because it tends to be sudden and affect one leg. If this sounds like you, read our guide to swelling in one leg and blood clots and see a doctor promptly.
Not every case is vascular. Nerve problems such as sciatica, restless legs syndrome and simple muscle fatigue can also leave the legs feeling uncomfortable or heavy. healthdirect notes there is no test for restless legs syndrome, and your doctor may use blood tests to rule out other reasons. An ultrasound will not diagnose a nerve problem, but it can show whether the veins and arteries are normal, which helps your doctor narrow down the cause.
See your doctor if the heaviness is persistent or bothering you. Seek medical attention urgently if a sore or heavy leg is swollen, unusually cool or pale, red and warm, numb and weak, or if the pain is getting worse or came on quickly. healthdirect also advises seeking medical advice for calf pain after a long journey.
Your doctor may refer you for a scan if heavy legs come with swelling around the ankles, particularly if one leg looks different from the other, or with visible or bulging veins, or skin that has become darker or itchy. Pain when walking that eases with rest is another reason. A history of blood clots, or a recent flight, surgery or long period without moving, can also prompt a referral.
A venous ultrasound shows how blood moves through the veins and whether the valves are working. An arterial scan shows whether blood is flowing freely to the legs. If your doctor suspects varicose veins, our varicose vein ultrasound page explains what to expect.
With a Medicare card and a referral from a doctor, we bulk bill eligible vascular scans, so you pay no gap. Elsewhere on the Gold Coast, gap fees can reach $310 for a single exam, and $320 to $374 for a varicose vein study on one leg. Your referral is valid at any imaging provider, so you are free to choose where to have the scan.
Regular movement, a healthy weight, raising your legs when you rest and avoiding long stretches of standing or sitting can ease heaviness for many people. These steps help with comfort but do not tell you the cause, so if the feeling keeps coming back, get it checked.
If your doctor has recommended a scan, you can book online, call us on 07 5619 8144, or walk in at Suite 3.11, Level 1, Capri on Via Roma, Isle of Capri, subject to availability. Bring your referral and your Medicare card. Our sonographer has over 20 years of experience with vascular imaging and has worked with multiple vascular surgeons. If your legs have felt heavy for weeks, a scan is a straightforward way to rule the blood vessels in or out.
