Sclerotherapy is used to treat both varicose and spider veins. It's been shown to be effective in controlling reflux from the sapheno-femoral and sapheno-popliteal junctions. However, it may not suitable for veins with reflux from the greater or lesser saphenous junction, or for veins with axial reflux.
The Procedure:
This procedure is performed in our offices under local anesthesia.
Ultrasound is used to visualize the underlying vein so the physician can deliver and monitor the injection.
A tiny needle is used to inject a sclerosing solution causes the target vein to immediately shrink, seal shut, and be reabsorbed by the body over a period of weeks as the body naturally absorbs the treated vein. Sclerotherapy is a non-invasive procedure taking only about 10 minutes to perform. The downtime is minimal, in comparison to an invasive varicose vein surgery.
Sclerotherapy, the vein disease benchmark procedure, is preferred over laser for eliminating large spider veins (telangiectasiae) and smaller varicose leg veins. Unlike a laser, the sclerosing solution additionally closes the "feeder veins" under the skin that are causing the spider veins to form, thereby making a recurrence of the spider veins in the treated area less likely. Multiple injections of dilute sclerosant are injected into the abnormal surface veins of the involved leg.
The patient's leg is then compressed with either stockings or bandages that they wear usually for two weeks after treatment. Patients are also encouraged to walk regularly during that time. It is common practice for the patient to require at least two treatment sessions separated by several weeks to significantly improve the appearance of their leg veins.
