Sclerotherapy

What is sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is one of the top treatments for spider veins and varicose veins. The Vascular Specialists team performs this treatment by injecting a medication called a sclerosing agent into the targeted veins.

The medication closes the vein, and then two things happen. First, your body reroutes blood, so it flows through healthy veins. Additionally, your body naturally absorbs the collapsed vein. It takes a little time, but before long, the unattractive veins disappear.

What causes varicose veins and spider veins?

Both of these problems develop when valves inside the veins weaken and stop working. These one-way valves ensure that your blood moves in one direction, going up your leg. When they stop functioning, blood flows backward and pools inside the veins, a condition called venous insufficiency.

Though the two conditions share the same cause, they take on a different appearance due to the size of the vessels.

Spider veins develop in tiny capillaries near the skin’s surface. As blood accumulates in the capillaries and they enlarge, they become visible, taking on the appearance of reddish-blue spider webs.

Varicose veins appear in the large superficial veins in your legs. As these veins become engorged with blood, they form twisted masses of red, blue, and purple veins that bulge above the skin’s surface.

What symptoms indicate I need sclerotherapy?

The first symptom is visible veins. In fact, many people come in for sclerotherapy to improve their appearance even though they don’t have symptoms.

Spider veins seldom cause other symptoms. Varicose veins, however, often result in:

• Painful, aching legs
• Leg cramping
• Heavy or fatigued legs
• Swollen legs, ankles, and feet
• Burning or itching in your leg
• Skin discoloration

Spider veins may signal an underlying vascular disease, while varicose veins often lead to complications such as superficial thrombophlebitis and slow-healing leg wounds.

What happens during sclerotherapy?

Your Vascular Specialists provider injects the medication using a fine needle. Spider veins seldom require a local anesthetic, but your provider may use it for varicose veins that are deep under your skin.

When treating large and deep varicose veins, your provider uses ultrasound imaging to see the veins and guide the injections. They may also inject an advanced sclerosing agent called Varithena™, a liquid that turns into foam after it’s injected, making it a better choice for large veins.

Some people experience mild cramping as the medication is injected. However, you shouldn’t have pain. After your injections are finished, you need to wear compression stocking and stay away from strenuous activity for a short time.

If you want to get rid of visible veins with sclerotherapy, call Vascular Specialists or book an appointment online.