What vein conditions are treated with sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is one of two primary treatments for small or moderately sized varicose veins and spider veins:
Varicose veins
Varicose veins are enlarged, gnarled blood vessels that usually occur in your legs. As veins carry blood back to your heart, valves open to let it flow upward, then close to stop it from going back down. When valves weaken, blood flows backward and pools in the vessels, causing varicose veins.
Spider veins
Spider veins occur when tiny veins near the surface of your skin become enlarged and accumulate blood. As a result, they become visible and appear as a network of reddish-blue veins on your face and legs.
What symptoms develop due to spider and varicose veins?
Spider veins don’t pose a health threat and they seldom cause symptoms. Varicose veins are different, as they can cause:
- Pain or an achy, heavy feeling
- Burning sensation
- Swelling in your legs
- Itching around the veins
- Bleeding from the veins
- Slow-healing ulcers near your ankle
When varicose veins go untreated, they increase your risk of chronic venous insufficiency.
What should I expect during sclerotherapy?
Dr. Lane performs sclerotherapy in the office by injecting a medication called polidocanol into the targeted vein. Polidocanol damages the vein lining and makes scar tissue form, and the treated veins then gradually disappear as your body absorbs the scar tissue. Polidocanol comes in two forms, a liquid form called AscleraⓇ, and VarithenaⓇ, which is a foam that works well for larger veins
When your treatment requires ultrasound imaging to guide needle placement, or it’s covered by insurance, the procedure is done by Dr. Lane. After your varicose veins are treated, you’ll wear compression stockings for a short time to force the vein walls together.
If your treatment is cosmetic, which generally means you want to eliminate spider veins, your injection is administered by Renee Lane, who is a highly qualified adult nurse practitioner. Sclerotherapy for spider veins doesn’t require compression or ultrasound guidance. The veins are easy to see and they’re so small they collapse without compression.
The team at Pueblo Vein Center also combines sclerotherapy with laser treatment. You get the best of both therapies: sclerotherapy for varicose veins and moderately sized feeder veins, plus noninvasive laser therapy to eliminate spider veins.
If you’re interested in sclerotherapy for spider veins or varicose veins, call Pueblo Vein Center or book an appointment online today.
