What is sclerotherapy? Sclerotherapy is a non-surgical procedure that involves injecting a special solution with a tiny needle into the vein. The solution causes the walls of the vein to stick together thereby ablating (closing) the vein. We now use anesthetic cream to minimize any discomfort.. Sclerotherapy continues to be the most effective, predictable treatment over laser for spider veins of the legs.
Do I have vein disease? These are the 8 warning signs of vein disease:
Tired, heavy-feeling legs.
Leg pain from prolonged sitting or standing.
Swollen ankles at night.
Varicose or spider veins.
Tingling, numbness, burning or cramping in legs or feet.
Discoloration of the skin.
Open sores or ulcers on lower leg.
History of vein problems in the family.
If you've answered yes to one or more of these questions, contact us for your complimentary consultation.
What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are abnormally enlarged blood vessels in which blood has pooled. They usually are bluish in color, and may appear twisted. They are very common on legs, especially among women. The tendency to develop varicose veins is thought to be linked with heredity and occasionally trauma. Women, especially those who have had children, and men and women who spend a lot of time standing seem to be most susceptible to developing varicose veins.
Most varicose veins are the result of "valve failure" or a "leaking" vein. Communicating veins are between deep, high pressure veins found under the leg muscles and superficial, low pressure veins found outside the leg muscles. When valves become faulty in the communicating vein, blood refluxes (back flows) to the superficial veins resulting in blood pooling causing the veins to become distended and bulging. These are known as "varicose" veins.
What are spider veins?
Spider veins are small varicose veins that appear as bluish or reddish lines just under the surface of the skin. More than half of patients with spider veins can experience aching, tingling and pain in the legs.
How do I know if I am a good candidate for sclerotherapy?
Most people can undergo sclerotherapy safely and easily. Before you undergo the procedure, a history will be taken, and a physical examination will be given. Circulation and vein structure in your legs will be assessed to determine if a patient is a good candidate.
How long does the procedure take?
The process is not time consuming it will vary from patient to patient. In most cases the actual sclerotherapy injections take approximately 30 minutes. The length and number of treatments needed to complete the therapy depend on the patient condition.
Are there any side effects from the treatment?
Side effects from sclerotherapy are rare and are almost always mild. Possible side effects may include slight itching, skin discoloration at the injection site, firm area beneath the skin where large veins have been injected, and slightly tender and red skin over the varicose vein. There are a few rare potentially serious complications. These include deep vein thrombosis, a severe allergic reaction to the sclerosing agents and an inadvertent arterial injection. But, as mentioned, they are indeed very rare.
How long will it take for the treated vein to disappear?
Veins that have been injected will fade gradually as the solution causes them to shrink, harden, and then disappear. The length of time necessary to see results will depend on the size of the vein and the pigmentation of the skin. Large varicose veins may require multiple treatments over the course of a few weeks before the blood flow is curbed, and they may take three or four months before they have completely disappeared.
