Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is a safe, proven and effective non-surgical procedure used to eliminate small varicose veins and spider veins under the skin. These clusters of red, blue or purple veins usually appear on the legs, and more than half of adult women and up to one third of adult men may have abnormal appearing leg veins. These are often the source of discomfort, swelling and leg fatigue.

Common Sclerotherapy Questions

How is the treatment performed?
Sclerotherapy is performed by injecting small amounts of medication into the unwanted vein to cause their closure. The solution displaces the blood in the vein causing the vein to appear lighter in color as well as irritating the inside lining of the vein, causing it to collapse. External compression with bandages keeps the vein closed and prevents blood from flowing to it. Within a few weeks to a month, depending on the size of the vein, the unused vein is absorbed by the body and disappears from view.

The procedure is performed in the physician's office and no anesthesia is used. Although not painful, individual injections can cause a light burning sensation, lasting a few seconds.

What can I expect after my treatment?
After treatment is complete, your leg is wrapped snugly with a compression bandage or support stockings. Your doctor will tell you how long you need to wear the bandage and when you can resume normal activities - usually within 24 to 48 hours. You may experience some skin bruising and the area of treatment may be slightly tender for a day or so. Your legs will look worse before they look better, but you will see a significant improvement in about four weeks. Some veins may require retreatment, and new varicose or spider veins may form requiring treatment.

What preparation is needed?
Please do not put lotion or oil on your legs for 24 hours prior to your appointment, and shave your legs the night before. Sun exposure should be avoided for one month before and after sclerotherapy to decrease the chance of dark pigmentation at the site of the injection.
What should I wear?
Wear loose pants, sweats or a skirt to accommodate the bandages, and bring a pair of shorts to wear during the procedure.

How long will the treatment take to perform? How many treatments are needed?
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your exam time to verify registration information and prepare for the exam. The treatment usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes. The number of treatments needed varies greatly from patient to patient. If required, additional visits will be scheduled a few weeks apart.

What are the side effects?
The most common side effects are:

• Mild itching
• Hyperpigmentation, a light brown discoloration of the skin, may develop along the vein in the area injected. This will fade in a few weeks, but may take up to a year to totally disappear. Sometimes, a small amount of blood may become trapped and hardened in the vein and will look dark blue or bruised. You may need to return to have this area drained before your next treatment.
• New, fine spider veins may occur and, if untreated, may resolve within a year or can be treated with sclerotherapy.
• Tenderness or bruising at the injection site is temporary.

Rare side effects include:

• Ulceration at the injection site, which usually heals within six weeks, and may result in a small scar.
• Allergic reaction may occur. Please inform us of any allergies you have.
• Pulmonary Embolus or Deep Vein Thrombosis is a blood clot to the lungs or deep vein. This complication is extremely rare.

Does insurance cover sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is usually considered a cosmetic procedure and is not covered by insurance; however, some symptomatic veins may qualify for insurance coverage. Check with your insurance carrier or benefits administrator.

Will it work for me?
Effectively treated varicose veins should not grow back. However, some patients experience recurrence and, while we can't alter the heredity and aging that causes this, we can retreat varicose veins with sclerotherapy or other procedures. This is not only cosmetic maintenance but improves circulation and relieves symptoms.

What other options do I have?

• You may choose to forego treatment at this time. The varicose and spider veins may progress and new ones may form. You should be reevaluated periodically to monitor your condition.
• If appropriate, your doctor may recommend you wear compression support hose to promote circulation.
• Surgical vein stripping may be an appropriate treatment for patients with larger varicose veins.
• Laser therapy is another option. The Radia Center for Vascular Disease offers Endovenous Laser Ablation (ELA) as an alternative treatment to surgical stripping for varicose veins.

Please talk with your Radia physician to understand your current medical situation and discuss the options available to you.

 

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