Sclerotherapy is a popular treatment for spider veins and small superficial varicose veins. After completing a thorough examination and screening to rule out any underlying vascular problems, the surgeons at University Vascular will determine if sclerotherapy is the best treatment for you. Depending upon the extent of your spider veins, your treatment may be completed in less than 30 minutes, or it might require several sessions over a period of weeks. Also, depending upon your condition, the sclerotherapy might be done using ultrasound imaging.
What is Sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is the injection, using a very fine needle, directly into the offending surface veins with a solution called a sclerosing agent; hence, the term sclerotherapy. There are a variety of agents, which used alone or in combination with others, that will seal the vein walls causing the vein to close and over a few weeks be absorbed by the body.
What should I Expect?
Sclerotherapy is essentially painless and involves no recuperation, however, we do recommend avoiding sun exposure to the treated areas for a month after sclerotherapy. The number of spider veins injected in one office visit will depend on the size and location of the veins. After the procedure, the leg is wrapped with a compression bandage or stocking. We recommend that patients wear a compression stocking for a few days following the treatment and walk regularly during that time.
Some patients, with extensive spider veins, may require several treatments to significantly improve the appearance of their spider veins. The doctors at University Vascular will help you decide the most comfortable and effective plan of treatment for your spider veins.
