Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy:

Sclerotherapy is the treatment of varicose veins and spider veins of the legs by injecting them with a solution known as a sclerosing agent. This is a substance that is irritating to the walls of the veins. This irritation causes the inner walls of the veins to become inflamed, which subsequently leads to the veins closing and disappearing. Treatment of leg veins by sclerotherapy improves not only the appearance of unsightly leg veins, but can also greatly improve the pain associated with varicose veins.

The number of treatments required will vary depending on the extent of the varicose or spider veins present. One to six or more treatments may be required. Individual veins may clear after one treatment, or may need several treatments to completely disappear.

Expect some minor discomfort with the injections (mostly a stinging sensation which only lasts a minute or less). There will usually be some bruising afterward, which clears within two to three weeks. It is advisable to apply a tensor bandage to the area of the leg treated for 72 hours after the treatment, especially if larger veins have been injected. This helps to compress the walls of the veins so they are better able to close and disappear. It will also minimize bruising. Usual activities and moderate exercise is quite permissible after sclerotherapy; in fact aerobic exercise will help to clear any bruising faster. It is not advisable to soak in a hot tub for several days after sclerotherapy as overheating tends to dilate veins which interferes with the vein closing.

It is also recommended that sclerotherapy not be performed within 3 weeks of embarking on a long trip, either flying or by car, as prolonged immobilization may increase the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis.

You may not be a candidate for sclerotherapy if you have a history of deep vein thrombosis or an inherited coagulation disorder. If you have very large protruding veins, you may require surgical ligation or stripping of the most problematic veins before the smaller veins can be successfully treated by sclerotherapy.

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