Sclerotherapy is an effective treatment for spider and varicose veins. It is the treatment of choice for most vein experts. The process is simple and minimally invasive, involving the injection of a solution direct into the affected veins. The solution then forces the vein to collapse and scar; thus, forcing the blood to move through healthier veins. Eventually the collapsed vein is reabsorbed into the tissue and the bruising or exterior appearance will fade.
Sclerotherapy is done for numerous reasons. In some cases, it is purely cosmetic – the patient needs to remove varicose or spider veins for a better appearance. More often, however, it is used to help alleviate symptoms associated with spider and varicose veins, including swelling, aching, light cramps and a burning sensation in the legs.
While pregnant women can suffer from varicose and spider veins, sclerotherapy is not typically done until after the pregnancy.
Not too much prep work is required for sclerotherapy, but your physician may require that you do not use creams or any emollients on your legs the day of your appointment. During the first appointment, test injections may be done to see how effective they are. If the response is negative, the amount of medication may be adjusted.
Some sclerotherapy procedures are done in multiple sessions depending on the severity of the veins. Regardless of how many sessions you need, you should not experience any pain during the procedure.
While most varicose and spider veins disappear in just a week, severe cases could take up to a month to disappear. The recovery time from sclerotherapy is minimal – in fact, most patients feel fine within a few hours following the procedure. Work and other activities can be resumed immediately.
While bruising may appear on the legs, it is not severe and it will disappear in a few days. If the veins do not disappear after the procedure, a second follow-up procedure may be required to fully remove them. If blood becomes trapped in a spider vein, your expert can help drain the blood.
After care for sclerotherapy is very simple. While the specific instructions you receive will depend on the severity of your case and number of injections, most after care instructions will include:
As with any procedure, there are risks that could influence the results of your sclerotherapy sessions. These could include:
These are often found at the injection site and will usually go away within a few short days. They can include:
Complications with sclerotherapy are rare, but if a more serious side effect does occur, you may need additional follow-up treatment. These types of side effects include:
Call your expert if you have any concerns or questions regarding your treatment. If you experience any of the following, contact your vein expert right away: