Is sclerotherapy the best option for your veins?

What is sclerotherapy and how is it used?

Sclerotherapy is a medical procedure used to treat varicose veins. A solution of vein irritant is injected directly into the affected veins using ultrasound guidance. This causes them to  collapse forcing blood to re-route through healthier veins. The collapsed veins are reabsorbed into the body and eventually fade. Sclerotherapy is a precise, minimally invasive process. It’s known for being effective and having a quick recovery time. We usually offer sclerotherapy either as your main varicose vein treatment or in combination with closing down the main feeding vein. Sometimes, after varicose vein treatment, you will need some sclerotherapy to tidy up any remaining small varicose veins.

When is sclerotherapy used instead of other vein treatments?

Sclerotherapy is a common component of most varicose vein treatments. Some patients will only need sclerotherapy for their vein treatment but many patients will also need treatment for a leaking surface vein. This treatment will usually involve a sealant treatment (Venaseal) or a heat treatment such as laser/radiofrequency. All of these vein treatments have been shown to be equally effective and safe. Almost all procedures take about 30-60 minutes, are minimally invasive and the patient is awake throughout.

Varicose,Veins,Visible,On,Woman's,Leg,Above,The,Knee,Venaseal,And,Sclerotherapy,Needed..
Many patients will also need treatment for a leaking surface vein.

Microsclerotherapy is also used for spider veins and very small varicose veins. When the remaining spider veins are too small to be treated with microsclerotherapy, we recommend laser therapy for treatment. Laser therapy uses focused light to heat and damage the veins, causing them to slowly disappear.

A combination of both treatments may be recommended to achieve the best results.

How do you know if you have varicose veins?

Usually varicose veins are visible and patients already know what they are from their appearance and their symptoms. To find out the cause of varicose veins, an ultrasound scan guides the vascular specialist to where the varicose veins are being fed from. Sometimes clusters of spider veins are an indication that underlying varicose veins are the cause. An ultrasound scan scan will determine if this is the case.

Woman,Lying,Down,Ultrasound,Probe,Moving,On,Legs.
An ultrasound scan guides the vascular specialist.

Consulting with a vascular surgeon is essential to determine the best treatment plan and the best method of treatment if you have varicose veins.