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Sclerotherapy

Understanding Problem Leg Veins

Do your legs feel tired and achy at the end of the day? Have you stopped wearing shorts because you don't like the way your legs look? Vein problems are not related to artery problems such as those that can cause heart disease. But, abnormal lef veins can affect your health and your self-image. Treatments for these veins include self-care, minimally invasive treatments, and surgery. They can relieve symptoms and help you feel better about your appearance, too.

Spider Veins

Spider veins are very small blood vessels just below the skins surface that become damaged, they can form webs of blue, purple, or red veins. These "spider veins" rarely cause serious symptoms. But because they're near the surface of the skin, their color is visible.

What can be done about Problem Veins

Your doctor can help you choose the best course of treament. In many cases, spider veins can be treated with sclerotherapy (injections). Treatments for varicose veins include endovenous abliation, surgery, or a variation of one of these. All procedures either destroy or remove problem veins. Blood then reroutes through other veins. meanwile, self-care, though not a cure, can reduce symptoms.

Sclerotherapy

This technique involves injecting a problem vein with a chemical. The chemical causes the blood vessel to close up and eventurally disappear. Sclerotherapy is the main treatment of certain varicose veins. This treatment is performed in a short office visit and is often painless.

Preparing for Treatment

Your doctor may ask you not to use cream or lotion on your legs on the day of treatment. No other special preparation is needed before this therapy. During your first session, your doctor may perform a few injections to test your response to the chemical. Based on your response, the amount of the chemical may be adjusted. You may then have multiple sessions for different part of the leg. Many veins can be treated in one session. In most cases, there is little or no pain during treatment, though you may feel a slight burning or stinging sensation.

Aftercare

Right after your treatment you will most likely feel back to normal. You can return to your normal activities, including work, right away. You may see some bruising, but this is usually not severe. It may take up to 12 weeks for the veins to disappear. In rare cases, some veins may need to be injected more than once. Blood may become trapped in some spider veins. If so, your doctor can remove it with a small puncture.

Keep these points in mind while you recover:

  • Wear compression stockings or bandages as directed.
  • Elevate your legs as directed.
  • Walk each day.
  • Avoid high-impact activities as advised by your doctor.
  • Avoid hot baths, saunas, whirlpools, and other hot environments as advised by your doctor.
  • Protect the treated area from sun exposure. Cover up or use sunblock.
  • Avoid immediate air travel if possible.
  • Follow any special instruction from your doctor.

Call your surgeon if:

  • You have persistent pain in the legs or feet
  • Persistent itching
  • Persistent bleeding or oozing
  • Swelling
  • Fever
  • Chest Pain


Types of Vein Surgery:

Sclerotherapy

This technique involves injecting a problem vein with a chemical. The chemical causes the blood vessel to close up and eventurally disappear. Sclerotherapy is the main treatment of certain varicose veins. This treatment is performed in a short office visit and is often painless.

Endovenous Ablation

Your doctor puctures the vein with a needle. A heat source, either radiofrequecy (RF) or laser, is delivered by a catheter (thin tube) ino the vein. Ultrasound is used to help position the heat source in the proper place in the vein. The heat source is then drawn backward, ablating (destroying) the tissue and closing the vein behind it. Over time, the body absorbs the treated vein.

Risks and Complications

Every surgery has some risks. Your surgeon will talk with you about the risks of peripheral bypass surgery. They include:

  • Brown discoloration along the treated vessel (usually temporary)
  • Allergic reaction to the chemical used in injections
  • Blood clot
  • Scabbing or scarring
  • Small skin ulcers
  • Formation of new blood vessels around treated area