Sclerotherapy is a non-surgical therapy for the reduction of varicose veins and spider veins in the lower extremities. The treatmentinvolves a chemical solution being injected into the veins in order to eliminate them from view.
The procedure is rapid, and usually needs less than one hour to complete. After theprocedure has been completed, patients are advised to wear support stockings for a period of time in order to compress the treated veins. Patients are typically able to resume their normal activities without interruption.
Both men and women can benefit from sclerotherapy treatment.
How Does Sclerotherapy Treatment Work?
Sclerotherapy is normally performed in a physician’s office. A 23% sodium chloride solution is injected right into the problem veins with a very fine needle, causing very little discomfort to the patient. In some cases,a mild local anesthetic such as lidocaine may be added to the solution. The sodium chloride solution irritates the inner lining 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 problem veins are eventually replaced by scar tissue, which becomes nearly invisible over a period of time.
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 treatment. It normally takes 3-6 weeks for the solution to show an effect, with larger veins taking up to four months to disappear. For many patients, between two and four sessions are sufficient to achieve the desired outcome; patients with milder cases may only need one or two sessions. Once varicose veins have been eliminated, they do not recur, although new varicose or spider veins may develop in other areas of the leg.
In a few cases (less than 10%), varicose veins are not eliminated by the procedure, and an different method of treatment (such as laser therapy) must be tried.
What are the Side Effects?
The side effects of sclerotherapy are minimal, and typically include slight soreness or cramping. With larger varicose veins, a hard, lumpy area may develop which fades over several months. Redness may also occur around the injection sites, which normally resolves in a few days. Brown lines or spots in the area are also not uncommon and clear up quickly.
More serious side effects are unlikely, but if you experience any of the followinga physician’s office. A 23% sodium chloride solution is injected right into the problem veins with a very fine needle, causing very little discomfort to the patient. In some cases, a mild local anesthetic such as lidocaine may be added to the solution. The sodium chloride solution irritates the inner lining 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 problem veins are eventually replaced by scar tissue, which becomes nearly invisible over a period of time.
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 treatment. It normally takes 3-6 weeks for the solution to show an effect, with larger veins taking up to four months to disappear. For many patients, between two and four sessions are sufficient to achieve the desired outcome; patients with milder cases may only need one or two sessions. Once varicose veins have been eliminated, they do not recur, although new varicose or spider veins may develop in other areas of the leg.
In a few cases (less than 10%), varicose veins are not eliminated by the procedure, and an different method of treatment (such as laser therapy) must be tried.
What are the Side Effects?
The side effects of sclerotherapy are minimal, and typically include slight soreness or cramping. With larger varicose veins, a hard, lumpy area may develop which fades over several months. Redness may also occur around the injection sites, which normally resolves in a few days. Brown lines or spots in the area are also not uncommon and clear up quickly.
More serious side effects are unlikely, but if you experience any of the following symptoms, you should call your doctor immediately:
1. Sudden inflammation of the leg;
2. Inflammation or red streaking near the groin area
3. Ulcers which appear in the vicinity of the injection site.
Related posts:
- Understanding Sclerotherapy Treatment? Sclerotherapy is an outpatient therapy for the treatment of varicose...
- Understanding Sclerotherapy Treatment? Sclerotherapy is an outpatient procedure for the reduction of varicose...
- Understanding Sclerotherapy Treatment? Sclerotherapy is an outpatient therapy for the treatment of varicose...
- Defining the Sclerotherapy Treatment? Sclerotherapy is a non-surgical therapy for the reduction of varicose...
- Useful information about Sclerotherapy Treatment? Sclerotherapy is a non-surgical procedure for the reduction of varicose...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.