Sclerotherapy Treatment
Have you been diagnosed with spider or reticular veins? If so, you may be interested in learning more about sclerotherapy treatment, a non-surgical technique for treating spider veins. This method is effective, FDA-approved, and has been around for decades. If you’re not sure what type of vein issues you have, our vein specialists at USA Vein Clinics can help.
Here’s what you need to know about sclerotherapy treatment and how it can help your vein disease symptoms.
What is Sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy for spider veins and reticular veins works by closing diseased veins to let the healthy vessels manage circulation. During sclerotherapy, a doctor injects a sterile solution — such as a salt solution — into the target veins. The injection irritates the veins’ inner lining, causing them to seal shut. Once the collapsed veins absorb into your tissue, your body will begin redirecting blood flow through healthy veins for better circulation.
Also known as injection sclerotherapy, this technique has full approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Research shows that it has a success rate between 50 and 80 percent in clinical studies.
When Do You Need Sclerotherapy?
Our doctors and vein surgeons recommend sclerotherapy for spider veins and reticular veins that cause symptoms or a risk of complications. Many cases of vein disease can cause you to have large visible veins, while others may cause no physical symptoms at all. You may have vein disease if you experience leg symptoms like:
- Pain that worsens when you stand but feels better when you walk
- Discolored, dry or thickened skin
- Ulcers or non-healing wounds
- Tiredness or heaviness
- Numbness or tingling
- Swelling or redness
- Muscle cramps or joint pain
Many of these symptoms don’t have any immediate risks, but they can develop into more serious problems if treatment is delayed. One great thing about sclerotherapy treatment is that when you treat the veins at the right time, you can experience relief for years to come.
Does USA Vein Clinics Perform Sclerotherapy Treatment for Varicose Veins?
In our specialty clinics, our vein experts use sclerotherapy to treat spider and reticular veins. Spider veins, also known as telangiectasias, are dilated capillaries located close to the skin’s surface. They appear small and thin and may look red, purple, or blue. Spider veins have a diameter of 1 mm or lower.
Meanwhile, reticular veins are typically larger than spider veins, but smaller than varicose veins. They range from 2 to 4 mm in diameter. Varicose veins have larger diameters and require a different type of treatment to close, so we don’t use sclerotherapy for them. Your vein specialist will explain your full range of treatment options and help you choose the right one.
What to Expect During Initial Sclerotherapy Consultation
When you choose to come into a USA Vein Clinic location, we hope that you’ll immediately feel at ease. After all, you will be in the expert hands of one of the top-rated vein specialists in the country. We are here to help you find relief from your vein disease symptoms.
You will receive a thorough physical examination that includes special attention to your legs, ankles, and feet. During this, your doctor will probably use ultrasound to take a closer look at any problematic veins. Next, we will ask about your full medical history and any medications you are currently taking. We also want to hear about which problematic symptoms you are experiencing.
Finally, your doctor will make a recommendation on what type of vein treatment is best for your unique situation. Depending on your vein issues, this may be sclerotherapy for spider veins or one of our other minimally invasive techniques.
During and After Sclerotherapy
As a non-surgical treatment, sclerotherapy doesn’t put a lot of stress on the body. During your injection sclerotherapy appointment, the doctor will use a small needle to inject the solution into your veins. The tiny needle will allow you to receive the treatment without anesthesia or discomfort. The specialist may also use an ultrasound to locate your veins, ensuring accuracy and comfort.
Depending on the nature of your vein disease, you might need multiple sclerotherapy injections over time. Fortunately, most sclerotherapy treatments take 30 minutes or less to complete. The number of veins that can be treated during your session depends on their size and location. If you need more than one appointment, we’ll schedule a follow-up at least four weeks in advance so that we can monitor the results of the previous treatment.
Many patients are relieved to learn that they can go home immediately following injection sclerotherapy. The doctor will recommend that you wear compression stockings for a number of days after treatment. This will encourage healing and circulation in your legs. We also suggest that you go on frequent walks in order to reduce the risk of developing blood clots. However, you’ll need to avoid heavy exercise, intense lifting,
hot baths, and too much sun for at least a few days.
Get a Diagnosis and Treatment at USA Vein Clinics
Whether you’ve been previously diagnosed with vein disease, or still need to receive a diagnosis from a medical professional, we can help. Our vein specialists have decades of combined experience using minimally-invasive technologies to treat people of vein disease symptoms.
Are you concerned about the cost of vein treatment? If so, we want you to be aware that most major health insurance plans provide coverage. Our insurance experts can help you navigate the details.
To schedule a consultation with one of our vein doctors, you can go online, or contact us at 888.768.3467.