Sclerotherapy is an outpatient therapy for the treatment of varicose veins and spider veins in the lower extremities. The procedureinvolves a chemical solution being injected into the blood vessels in order to eliminate them from view.
The procedure is rapid, and usually requires less than one hour to finish. Afterthe procedure has been completed, patients are advised to wear support stockings for a period of time in order to constrict the treated veins. Patients are typically able to resume their usual activities right away.
Both males and females can benefit from sclerotherapy treatment.
How Does Sclerotherapy Treatment Work?
Sclerotherapy is typically performed in a doctor’s office. A 23% sodium chloride solution is injected directly into the problem veins with a very fine syringe, causing minimum discomfort 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 veins, causing them to swell and stick together. The blood flowing through the varicose or spider veins is diverted to normal veins; the problem 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 only one session. 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 result; patients with milder cases may only need one or two sessions. Once varicose veins have been eliminated, they do not reappear, although new varicose or spider veins may appear in other areas of the leg.
In a few cases (less than 10%), varicose veins are unaffected by the treatment, and an different method of treatment (such as laser therapy) must be sought.
What are the Side Effects?
The side effects of sclerotherapy are nominal, and typically include slight soreness or cramping. With larger varicose veins, a hard, lumpy area may develop which disappears 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 develop anyperformed in a doctor’s office. A 23% sodium chloride solution is injected directly into the problem veins with a very fine syringe, causing minimum discomfort 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 veins, causing them to swell and stick together. The blood flowing through the varicose or spider veins is diverted to normal veins; the problem 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 only one session. 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 result; patients with milder cases may only need one or two sessions. Once varicose veins have been eliminated, they do not reappear, although new varicose or spider veins may appear in other areas of the leg.
In a few cases (less than 10%), varicose veins are unaffected by the treatment, and an different method of treatment (such as laser therapy) must be sought.
What are the Side Effects?
The side effects of sclerotherapy are nominal, and typically include slight soreness or cramping. With larger varicose veins, a hard, lumpy area may develop which disappears 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 develop any of the following symptoms, you should contact your doctor immediately:
1. Sudden inflammation of the leg;
2. Swelling or red streaking in the groin area
3. Ulcers which appear around the injection site.
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