Vein Treatments ( Sclerotherapy)
Posted on 11/10/2011
This is a procedure used to treat fine spider veins of the legs. The physician or physician assistant injects a solution directly into the blood vessel with a very fine needle. This solution irritates the lining of the vessel causing it to eventually collapse and be absorbed by the body. We have researched laser therapy to treat spider veins on the legs. It is our expert opinion that advancements achieved through years of refinement of the injection technique achieve better results.
Spider Veins and Varicose Veins
Spider veins are small purple, blue or red veins that occur mostly on the legs, but can also appear on the face. Varicose veins are larger, sometimes raised and often blue in color and can become painful with a burning or throbbing sensation. Spider veins and varicose veins are outward signs of inner damage to the valves that control blood flow in the veins. When valves inside veins weaken or become damaged they leak, causing blood to pool in the vessels of the leg.
Women get varicose veins up to four times more often than men. Contributing factors include heredity, pregnancy, aging, birth control pills, prolonged sitting or standing, or tight clothing. Exercise, such as walking, swimming, or biking, is one of the best preventive maintenance therapies. At our practice, varicose and spider vein treatment is safe and effective.
Sclerotherapy works by injection of a sclerosing solution into the involved blood vessels. This solution may be hypertonic saline (strong salt water) or another medication that disturbs the delicate cells that line these varicose veins. As a result, the treated vessels collapse, scar down and are ultimately broken down and removed by the body. Compression stockings help prevent blood from flowing back through the treated veins and and may be used after the procedure to prevent new varicose veins from developing.
For the majority of spider or varicose veins, sclerotherapy alone is curative; however, surgery may be necessary prior to successful sclerotherapy in some patients.
