There are several different treatment options for spider veins. The one that stands out is sclerotherapy because it has stood the test of time and remains a top picked favorite of Vein Specialists as well as satisfied patients.
Sclerotherapy – What is it?
Sclerotherapy is the use of an injected chemical solution directly into the damaged. These chemicals cause the vein to collapse and scar, sealing the blood’s pathway and forcing it to reroute to healthier veins. The collapsed vein is then reabsorbed into the tissue and the old vein eventually fades.
Why choose sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy liked and used so much because it is minimally invasive. This procedure improves not only the visual appeal of your legs but also tag along symptoms such as aching, swelling, burning and leg cramps. Treated veins fade completely within a few weeks, although in some patients it may take up to two months to see the full results. For more extensive cases, multiple sclerotherapy treatments may be needed. Your doctor will let you know prior to any treatment being administered.
What to be aware of when choosing Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is an outpatient procedure. It is generally performed right in your doctor’s office. No anaesthesia is required and only takes from 15 minutes to an hour to complete depending on the extent of the damage.
During the procedure, patients lie on their back, legs slightly elevated. Pretreatment the area is swabbed with alcohol. To begin the doctor uses a fine needle and begins slowly to inject a safe chemical solution or foam into the vein. Some patients may experience a minor stinging sensation or slight cramps at the point of insertion. The injection irritates the vein lining, causing it to swell shut and block the flow of blood.
Once the needle is removed, the doctor will then apply compression bandages and massage the area to keep blood out of the injected vessel and disperse the solution. For larger veins, a compression pad may be taped onto the site to keep the area compressed while your doctor moves on to the next vein. The size and area will affect the number of injections needed in a treatment.
Insurance coverage
Depending on the patient Sclerotherapy may or may not be covered by insurance. Please check with your carrier before scheduling the procedure.
Will I need time off?
There is virtually no downtime with Sclerotherapy. You can stand and walk immediately, it is even recommended. Compression stockings should be worn for one to three weeks and though you should avoid sun exposure during that time, you may return otherwise to normal activities.
Interested?
Give West Florida Vein Center a call today at (727) 712-3233 or visit www.westfloridaveincenter.com to start your screening.
