Examination: Look at the legs for varicose veins and other signs of venous insufficiency. Examine lying and standing. Document location and severity of varicose veins. Pre-existing varicose veins - tender 'worm-like' mass deep to the skin, overlying skin is warm and erythematous, often oedema of the surrounding area without generalized swelling of the whole limb. Without varicose veins - palpable cord, sometimes nodular, associated with warmth, tenderness, and erythema along the course of a non-varicose superficial vein.