Sclerotherapy is not just a cosmetic procedure.  Sclerotherapy is a very crucial tool in treating varicose vein disease.  Sclerotherapy is a treatment that works best for average sized varicose veins as well as for spider veins.  The treatment is performed under Ultrasound Guidance so as to ensure the most precise placement of the treatment.

Ultrasound is used to locate the underlying leaking veins.  Sclerotherapy aims to seal off the leakage points in the vein by collapsing the incompetent veins.

A FDA approved chemical solution, or sclerosant, is injected into troublesome veins through a very fine needle. Some patients report a barely noticeable pin prick sensation when the needle is placed. The sclerosant causes the walls of the vein to become inflamed.  Because of these conditions induced by the sclerosant, the vein eventually collapses.  The collapse of the vein allows blood to be re-routed in the venous system so that it doesn’t stagnate in these diseased veins.

The treatment takes little time, often less than a half hour.  After treatment, patients sometimes report some light cramping or burning, but this generally passes quickly.  The cramping and burning results from the vein shutting down and the blood rerouting.  Often, patients require a few to several sclerotherapy injection sessions for completion of varicose vein disease treatment.  These treatments often show they are working with many patients reporting significantly improved symptoms, and little or less discoloration of the extremity.