What Is Sclerotherapy for Varicose Veins?

Sclerotherapy is a medical procedure used to treat varicose veins and spider veins. It involves an injection that helps collapse bulging varicose veins, causing them to shrink and eventually fade from view. This treatment is minimally invasive and allows you to return to normal activities quickly. Here’s more information about sclerotherapy and how it improves varicose veins:

Purpose of Sclerotherapy

Your heart pumps oxygenated blood through the arteries to the body. Oxygen-depleted blood then flows through the veins back to your heart, relying on one-way valves and the muscles in your legs and calves. If these valves get damaged, the blood can flow backward and pool in the veins, causing them to bulge. These are referred to as varicose veins.

Varicose veins may cause pain, itching, swelling, cramping, and other symptoms. Sclerotherapy helps treat the affected veins, eliminating these symptoms. It makes the affected veins inaccessible, encouraging your body to reroute blood flow and create new vessels. The damaged veins shrink and disappear over time, resulting in a more aesthetic appearance.

Sclerotherapy Procedure

Before performing sclerotherapy, your cardiovascular specialist will discuss your goals during the initial consultation to determine if the procedure is appropriate for you. The doctor will examine the affected veins and conduct diagnostic tests to check for more serious venous issues, such as chronic venous insufficiency. They may take before images and review your medical history, including any previous health conditions, surgeries, medications, and lifestyle choices. Your doctor can also provide instructions to follow before the procedure, which may include recommendations to stop certain medications before treatment.

Sclerotherapy involves injecting a sclerosant directly into the affected veins. The solution irritates the veins, causing them to swell, stick together, and collapse or seal shut. After the injection, your doctor will apply pressure to the affected vein to help it collapse. Blood is then redirected to other healthy veins. As the treated veins are no longer in use, they become less visible. This treatment is usually done at your doctor’s office and may be completed in an hour or less.

Aftercare and Effectiveness

Cardiovascular specialists recommend walking around promptly after the procedure to prevent the formation of blood clots. You may also need to wear compression stockings for a few days or weeks to apply pressure and promote blood flow. Other instructions include avoiding sun exposure to prevent dark spots from forming at the injection sites. You can return to many of your normal activities on the same day, but you should avoid strenuous activity for approximately one week. Shaving and using lotion should also be avoided until the injection sites have healed. The procedure is effective, and many people notice improvement within weeks. Multiple sessions may be required for optimal results, particularly for large, bulging veins.

Get Your Varicose Veins Treated Today

Sclerotherapy is an effective and minimally invasive treatment for mild to moderate varicose veins. Cardiovascular specialists may also use endovenous ablation for more serious cases. Speak to a specialist today to learn more about sclerotherapy and other treatment options.