Sclerotherapy
What is Sclerotherapy?
If you’re suffering from varicose veins, your blood is not properly flowing from your legs to your heart. Your blood moves towards your heart by one-way valves in the veins. When the valves become weakened or damaged, blood can collect in the veins. Varicose veins typically develop near the surface of your skin.
There are many reasons why varicose veins develop, but it starts with putting pressure on your veins. Pregnancy, obesity, and standing for long periods can contribute to their development. Your risk also increases as you get older because veins weaken with age. The most common symptoms associated with varicose veins include:
- Aching
- Swelling
- Burning
- Cramps
Fortunately, there are many treatment options for varicose veins. Sclerotherapy is often used for treating minor varicose veins. Sclerotherapy is an outpatient procedure that involves injecting a specialized agent into the affected vein to seal it shut. In doing so, blood is rerouted to healthier veins and the damaged or diseased vein eventually dissolves.
What to Expect
Before your treatment, you may be asked to avoid certain medications like antibiotics, aspirin, or Prednisone. These types of medications make the sclerosing agent less effective.
If you have compression stockings—please bring them with you.
The sclerotherapy treatment will be performed in our office and takes less than an hour to complete. During the procedure, your vein care specialist will inject a sclerosant liquid directly into your vein, causing blood in that vein to coagulate and the vein walls to narrow. Over time, scar tissue in the abnormal vein will develop, effectively sealing off the vein and rerouting blood to healthier veins.
Your doctor will most likely perform a test injection first, to make sure you don’t have an allergic reaction. You’ll feel a little pinch from the needle, and you may get a slight burning sensation. The time it takes to complete the procedure will be determined by the number of veins being treated.
Recovery
Once the procedure is over, you’ll be encouraged to get up and walk around. Walking is essential during this time to prevent blood clots from forming. Many patients resume regular activities on the same day.
Your vein specialist may recommend wearing your compression stockings for up to a week after the procedure to help the healing process. Typically, patients are advised to avoid strenuous activities and difficult exercise during the first two weeks and instead, participate in low-impact exercises like walking and biking.
Results often vary, but most patients report a noticeable improvement after the procedure is performed. Some varicose and spider veins can take months or even years to disappear completely. Larger veins can also become hard and lumpy for several months before beginning to dissipate.
Risks & Side Effects
Side effects associated with sclerotherapy are usually minimal. Although rare, there can be serious side effects as well, including blood clots or allergic reaction to the sclerosant. If you experience symptoms of an allergic reaction, contact your doctor immediately.
Am I a Candidate?
Our vascular specialists are highly experienced at diagnosing varicose veins and other vein disorders, and will help you decide if sclerotherapy is the right course of treatment for you. If you are over the age of 40 and suffer from the uncomfortable side effects of varicose veins, you may be a good candidate for sclerotherapy.
More on Sclerotherapy
Guidelines to Follow After Sclerotherapy
For 48 hours after your procedure, you may have some guidelines to follow, including:
- Avoid anti-inflammatory medications
- Avoid hot baths and saunas
- Use lukewarm water and soap to wash the injection site(s)
- Do not apply heat to the treated areas
- Avoid direct sunlight
Possible Temporary Side Effects of Sclerotherapy
- Bruising
- Raised red areas
- Small skin sores
- Darkened lines or spots on your skin
- Multiple tiny red blood vessels
How Do I Know if Sclerotherapy is for Me?
Sclerotherapy is not for everyone. If any of the following pertain to you, this procedure may not be your best option:
- Mobility issues
- A history of blood clots in your veins or lungs
- Major surgery within the last three months
- A recent extended hospital stay
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
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