Sclerotherapy Veins Treatment

• Vein sclerotherapy procedures involve having an injection of salt solution injected directly into the varicose veins or spider veins of the patient. This is used to remove or prevent varicose veins and spider veins. This solution irritates the lining of the blood vessels which makes them stick together. Over time, the affected blood vessels turn into scar tissue and fade from sight
• Ask your vascular medicine specialist or dermatoligist if this is right for you
• The Procedure: takes between 15-30 minutes using a very fine needle to inject directly into the vein, you will feel some discomfort for a few minutes, is between 50-80 percent effective

If you are trying to prevent varicose veins or if you want to eliminate the veins altogether, you may want to consider having a procedure called sclerotherapy. Vein sclerotherapy involves having an injection of salt solution injected directly into the veins. The solution then irritates the lining of the blood vessels which makes them swell and stick together. The blood then clots and over time the vessels that have been affected eventually turn into scar tissue and fades from sight. This procedure of sclerotherapy spider veins has been in use since the 1930s.

In order to find out if vein sclerotherapy is for you, you will need to visit a vascular medicine specialist or dermatologist. Based on their initial consultations, they will be able to tell you if vein sclerotherapy will work for you in helping to prevent varicose veins. Sclerotherapy varicose veins procedures are not available for people who are pregnant or bedridden. If you are on birth control pills you can have sclerotherapy spider veins procedures. Additionally, if you have had trouble in the past with blood clots the doctor will have to decide whether or not you are eligible for sclerotherapy varicose vein treatment. If the overall health of the area needing treated is healthy, you may be eligible. Sclerotherapy veins that could be used in the future for bypass procedures will normally not be considered.

The procedure is performed by using a very fine needle that is injected directly into the varicose vein. The salt solution is injected into the vein and you will feel some discomfort and cramping for a few minutes. The larger the vein, the more discomfort you will feel when the solution is injected into it. The entire procedure takes between 15 to 30 minutes. The severity of your varicose veins will determine how many injection sessions you will need to have. Performed in the doctor’s office, you will not be allowed to do any aerobic exercises for at least two days after each procedure. Side effects include but are not limited to: bruising; itching; red areas at the injection site; inflammation; and allergic reactions.

Sclerotherapy is between 50 to 80 percent effective in eliminating varicose veins. Less than 10% of the people who have this procedure done do not have positive results. When this happens, the doctor can try an alternative salt solution in their veins. Spider veins respond to the treatment in three to six weeks while larger veins respond in three to four months. If the treatment takes, the veins will not reappear. If they do reappear, you will have to have more treatments.

Your insurance coverage may or may not cover the sclerotherapy procedure. If you are having severe pain and chronic swelling in your legs, your insurance may offer you some form of reimbursement. If you are having the procedure done simply for cosmetic purposes, your insurance probably will not cover any of the cost of the procedure. Double check with your insurance company before you have the procedure done in either case to make sure that it will be covered. The insurance company may require a letter from your physician regarding medical necessity and the nature of the treatment you are considering.

The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.