Sclerotherapy for peripheral veins
Dr. Mahesh Krishna specializes in sclerotherapy, a proven treatment for peripheral veins that helps eliminate spider veins and small varicose veins effectively. This minimally invasive procedure involves injecting a solution into the affected veins, causing them to close and gradually disappear. With Dr. Mahesh Krishna’s expertise, patients receive safe, precise, and personalized care for healthier-looking legs.
Sclerotherapy for peripheral veins
Sclerotherapy is a medical treatment for varicose veins and spider veins, typically on your legs. Your doctor uses a needle to inject a unique solution into your varicose vein or spider vein. The chemical solution irritates the lining of your blood vessel, causing it to dilate, adhere to each other and develop a scar. This closes off your vein, which improves its appearance and sensation.
Sclerotherapy is suitable for individuals who have spider veins or varicose veins, but not everyone.
Prior to the treatment, you’ll see a vascular specialist who’ll determine whether or not you’re a candidate for sclerotherapy.
You are not a candidate for sclerotherapy if you:
• Have an active deep vein thrombosis or superficial vein thrombosis (clot).
• Are pregnant. You’ll need to wait at least three months after childbirth before you are eligible for sclerotherapy.
• Breastfeeding.
• Cannot get out of bed.
In general, your doctor won’t perform sclerotherapy on a vein you may need for future bypass surgery, like the saphenous vein for coronary artery bypass graft surgery (unless that vein is already not usable).
It’s a great idea to discuss with your provider how successful they believe sclerotherapy treatment will be for you. Some individuals with high expectations are let down by their outcomes. Having some idea of what to expect will prevent you from being disappointed. You should also be aware that the outcome is not instant. You won’t leave your provider’s office resembling a leg model.
Avoid taking some medications before your sclerotherapy procedure. Here are the guidelines:
• Antibiotics like tetracycline or minocycline can cause your skin to stain if you take them seven to 10 days before or after sclerotherapy.
• Don’t take aspirin, ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory drugs for 48 hours before and after sclerotherapy. These drugs can interfere with the effect of the sclerosing agent or increase your tendency to bleed. It is alright to take acetaminophen (Paracetamol or Panadol). Get specific instructions from your provider before you discontinue any medication.
• Prednisone weakens the sclerosing agent. Find out from the prescriber of your prednisone whether it is safe for you to discontinue it for 48 hours prior to your sclerotherapy treatment.
Other Guidelines Before Your Procedure:
• Do not apply any lotion to your legs before or after sclerotherapy.
• Bring a pair of shortsto wear during your procedure.
If you have compression hosiery (support stockings) from previous treatments, take them with you so your provider can ensure that they’ll provide you with adequate support after your procedure.
Once you are treated, your doctor will likely instruct you to remain lying down for about 15 minutes or so to ensure that you don’t have a negative reaction to the material that was injected.
You’ll be fine to drive home. You can resume your normal activity, particularly walking.
You need to wear support stockings or compression bandages for three to seven days to constrict the treated veins. Department store support stockings may not be effective if your physician orders a heavy compression stocking.
For 48 hours following your procedure, take the following precautions:
• Don’t take aspirin, ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatory drugs. Acetaminophen is okay to take if you need something for pain relief.
• Avoid hot baths or sitting in a whirlpool or sauna. You can shower, but make the water cooler than normal.
• Clean the sites of injection with mild soap and lukewarm water.
• Don’t use hot compresses or any type of heat on the treated sites.
• Stay away from direct sunlight (sun tanning and tanning beds).
Call your provider if you have any questions or concerns after your procedure.
Advantages of sclerotherapy include:
• No anesthetic. With sufficient compression from the bandage on the vein, there is minimal pain. Compression also might reduce bruising and swelling.
• Good outcome for most individuals. Sclerotherapy is particularly effective on smaller varicose veins. A treatment session can eliminate an estimated 50% to 80% of treated veins. In approximately 10% of cases, sclerotherapy is ineffective. If this occurs, your healthcare professional can attempt alternative solutions or another technique, such as laser treatment.
• Reasonably fast outcomes for minor veins. Spider veins typically respond to treatment within three to six weeks, although three to four months may be needed for bigger veins.
• Varicose veins or spider veins will not recur with effective treatment. You might require treatment for new varicose veins that develop.
Sclerotherapy is more time-consuming than surgery for varicose veins or spider veins. Sclerotherapy can also produce side effects.
Side effects of sclerotherapy may include the following:
• Larger injected veins can become lumpy or hard for a few months.
• The redness at the point where the needle was inserted should disappear within a few days.
• Brown lines or spots on your skin at the injection site generally resolve within three to six months. However, in about 5% of instances, they become permanent.
* Bruising at the point of injection can last for weeks or days.
* Small blood vessels may develop in the treated area. They may be seen days or weeks following your sclerotherapy but will clear within a few months. In most instances, they do not need to be treated.
• The allergic reactions to the injected chemical do happen at the time of injection and are very rarely severe. They result in itching and swelling.
Other side effects seldom occur following sclerotherapy. If you experience any of the following rare side effects, inform your healthcare provider right away:
• Inflammation (swelling) within five inches of your groin.
• Unexpected swelling in your leg.
• Tiny ulcers at the location of an injection.
• Red streaking, particularly in your groin region.
