Sclerotherapy for Varicose and Spider Veins
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy involves the injection of medications (sclerosing agents) into varicose veins which cause irritation of their inner walls resulting in collapse and permanent closure of these veins. The majority of varicose veins can be treated by sclerotherapy. Even the Saphenous veins ( the large veins in your groin ) may be removed by this method. Sclerotherapy is performed in the doctor’s office and does not require loss of time from work or other activities. It does not entail anesthesia and there is no scarring. You may be required to wear leg stockings after this procedure. If sclerotherapy has not worked for you in the past it may be that you have underlying veins that cannot be seen with the naked eye and can only be found with ultrasound mapping. The source of the problem is then treated and usually better results are achieved on the remaining veins.
Sclerotherapy at BC Laser is designed to treat both men and women for long term results. To see if sclerotherapy is right for you book your appointment with BC laser today by calling 604 580 2464
Ultrasound-guided Sclerotherapy
Ultrasound is used to map out the entire vein anatomy of the lower limbs. The cause of the varicose and spider veins are identified and treated at its source and then followed by further treatments to the veins. Treating varicose and spider veins in this way make the results more successful long term and with fewer risks. There is no surgery involved, no anaesthesia or downtime and very little discomfort. Ultrasound guided sclerotherapy can be used with great accuracy to find the problem veins prior to treatment.
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sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy may require several treatment sessions, depending on your individual needs. It is better to treat the vein in several sessions if your vein problems are extensive to minimize any discomfort. Each session takes about one half-hour and involves a series of injections, according to the size and number of veins. Most patients find the injections minimally uncomfortable – like a pin prick. Bruising is normal and will fade in 2-3 weeks. There is no need for time off work and moderate exercise is encouraged following treatment. Following treatment, compression stocking are applied which are worn continuously and with doctors instructions on proper usage.
The veins treated by sclerotherapy are destroyed and cannot reappear again unless the treatment has been incomplete. However, sclerotherapy cannot alter your inherited tendency to form new varicosities and it is not uncommon for new varicosities to appear over time.
Many patients ask how the blood will get back to the heart after the veins have been closed by sclerotherapy. In fact, 90% of our blood return is handled by the deep venous system, which is never treated. Only the superficial veins, which carry 10% of the blood, can become varicosed. Moreover, varicose veins are not functioning properly so the blood has already found other veins to circulate through.
