Sclerotherapy is a non-surgical therapy for the reduction of varicose veins and spider veins in the lower extremities. The procedureinvolves a chemical solution being inserted into the blood vessels in order to eliminate them from view.
The treatment is quick, and usually requires less than one hour to finish. Afterthe treatment has been completed, patients are instructed to wear support stockings for a length of time in order to constrict the treated veins. Patients are generally able to resume their ordinary activities without interruption.
Both males and females can benefit from sclerotherapy treatment.
How Does Sclerotherapy Treatment Work?
Sclerotherapy is typically done in a physician’s office. A 23% sodium chloride solution is inserted directly into the affected veins with a very fine needle, causing very little pain to the patient. sometimes, amild local anesthetic such as lidocaine may be added to the solution. The sodium chloride solution irritates the inner walls of the blood vessels, causing them to swell and stick together. The blood flowing through the varicose or spider veins is diverted to healthy blood vessels; the affected veins are eventually replaced by scar tissue, which becomes nearly invisible over a few weeks.
How Well Does Sclerotherapy Treatment Work?
Most patients respond well to sclerotherapy, with 50%-80% of their varicose or spider veins being reduced or eliminated after just one session. It normally takes 3-6 weeks for the solution to show an effect, with larger veins taking up to four months to fade. For many patients, between two and four sessions are enough to attain the desired result; patients with milder cases may only require one or two treatments. Once varicose veins have been eliminated, they do not recur, although new varicose or spider veins may develop in other parts of the leg.
In a few cases (less than 10%), varicose veins are not eliminated by the treatment, and an alternate form of treatment (such as laser therapy) must be sought.
What are the Side Effects?
The side effects of sclerotherapy are nominal, and generally include slight soreness or cramping. With larger varicose veins, a hard, lumpy area may appear which fades over several months. Redness may also occur around the injection sites, which typically resolves in a few days. Brown lines or spots in the area are also not uncommon and disappear quickly.
More serious side effects are rare, but if you experience any of the followingin a physician’s office. A 23% sodium chloride solution is inserted directly into the affected veins with a very fine needle, causing very little pain to the patient. sometimes, a mild local anesthetic such as lidocaine may be added to the solution. The sodium chloride solution irritates the inner walls of the blood vessels, causing them to swell and stick together. The blood flowing through the varicose or spider veins is diverted to healthy blood vessels; the affected veins are eventually replaced by scar tissue, which becomes nearly invisible over a few weeks.
How Well Does Sclerotherapy Treatment Work?
Most patients respond well to sclerotherapy, with 50%-80% of their varicose or spider veins being reduced or eliminated after just one session. It normally takes 3-6 weeks for the solution to show an effect, with larger veins taking up to four months to fade. For many patients, between two and four sessions are enough to attain the desired result; patients with milder cases may only require one or two treatments. Once varicose veins have been eliminated, they do not recur, although new varicose or spider veins may develop in other parts of the leg.
In a few cases (less than 10%), varicose veins are not eliminated by the treatment, and an alternate form of treatment (such as laser therapy) must be sought.
What are the Side Effects?
The side effects of sclerotherapy are nominal, and generally include slight soreness or cramping. With larger varicose veins, a hard, lumpy area may appear which fades over several months. Redness may also occur around the injection sites, which typically resolves in a few days. Brown lines or spots in the area are also not uncommon and disappear quickly.
More serious side effects are rare, but if you experience any of the following symptoms, you should call your physician immediately:
1. Sudden inflammation of the leg;
2. Inflammation or red streaking in the groin area
3. Ulcers which appear in the vicinity of the injection site.
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