(866) 552-4866 There used to be a time many years ago when surgery was the answer for vein-related conditions such as varicose veins and spider veins. A few common ones you might have heard of to achieve healthy legs include vein stripping, phlebotomy, and even bypass surgery. That said, the downsides were lengthy recovery times, possible infection, and scarring. While surgery still has its place in treating complex vein diseases, advancements in medical technology have paved the way for less invasive treatment options like sclerotherapy that are arguably safer, more effective, and require little to no downtime compared to traditional surgery. Even with these advancements, many people wonder how exactly sclerotherapy and other vein treatments work, the number of sessions required, what to expect before, during, and after a procedure, and how quickly noticeable results can be expected.
At StrideCare, our knowledgeable and compassionate team of vascular surgeons resolves leg and foot conditions that hinder daily life in the least disruptive way possible. More importantly, we want our patients to feel confident in their decision to achieve the best possible outcomes—whether for a simple cosmetic annoyance or several severe symptoms that need to be addressed sooner rather than later.
Imagine Overcoming These Symptoms With Sclerotherapy Vein Treatment Sessions
- Painful varicose veins
- Smaller but unsightly spider veins
- Blood clots
- Burning, throbbing, itchy legs
- Feelings of leg achiness
- Leg discomfort when sitting or standing
- Cold or numb legs
- Leg muscle cramps
Are you considering vein treatment? Schedule a consultation with a StrideCare vascular specialist today to see if sclerotherapy is the answer to your unique vein situation.
How Does Sclerotherapy Help With Varicose Veins and Spider Veins?
One in every three adults over 45 develops some form of vein disease. While they all vary in symptoms and severity, spider and varicose veins are typically the first signs that your veins are no longer working as they once did. If left unchecked, they can evolve into something worse.
What Are Spider Veins?
Spider veins are small, dilated blood vessels near the skin's surface that appear as red, blue, or purple web-like lines. They are usually less than 1 millimeter in diameter and are often visible due to their bright color and thinness. The good news is that spider veins are generally considered a cosmetic concern and have minimal impact on health. They may occasionally cause mild discomfort or a burning sensation, especially after long periods of standing.
That said, they rarely cause more severe complications like their larger counterpart, varicose veins. However, they are an early sign of possible underlying vein disease to come.
What Are Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins are swollen, twisted, bulging, dark blue, or purple lumps under the skin. They are roughly 2.5 millimeters or larger and often protrude above the skin's surface, leading to pain, burning, and spasms. Many men and women with varicose veins may not experience any pain. That said, those who do may also find it difficult to sit or stand for long periods. They may also experience swelling, a heavy feeling in their legs, and numbness.
How Does Sclerotherapy Work?
With sclerotherapy, our vascular specialists inject a specially formulated solution full of sclerosing agents into the affected veins to improve the appearance of spider veins on the thighs, calves, and feet or reduce the pain and discomfort caused by mild to moderate varicose veins. There are no incisions. Instead, our experts may apply an anesthetic to your treatment area to ensure you are as comfortable as possible. As the series of injections occurs, the solution irritates the vein from the inside and causes it to collapse, disappear, and be absorbed into the surrounding tissue.
Essentially, you are starving troublesome veins of blood. According to one study, sclerotherapy has greater benefits than surgery in terms of treatment success, complication rate, and cost.
How Many Sclerotherapy Vein Treatment Sessions Do I Need?
Each sclerotherapy session typically takes 15 minutes to an hour, and patients typically can head back to work and the busiest parts of their day. Immediately following sclerotherapy treatment, you may notice swelling, bruising, and tenderness around your treated areas. This is normal and typically goes away within a few days of treatment. You may be asked to wear compression socks to help promote blood flow and ensure a quick healing process.
Patients will be able to start feeling and seeing the results of their sclerotherapy treatment within three to six weeks of treatment, with ultimate results becoming apparent within three to six months.
While one sclerotherapy vein treatment session for superficial spider veins could be enough to achieve satisfactory results, it is more likely that you will need anywhere from one to three sessions to achieve the best results. For varicose veins, the number of sessions can also vary depending on a variety of factors:
- The severity of the vein condition — The more severe your case is, the more sessions may be required. The more superficial and less severe the case, the fewer the sessions.
- Size and location of veins — Veins that are deeper versus superficial and exhibit awkward placement may require more treatment sessions than smaller surface veins that are easier to access.
- Patient health — Not all patients are created equal. Many have underlying medical conditions that can impact how many sclerotherapy vein treatment sessions are necessary.
- Your compliance with the treatment plan — Attending all recommended vein treatment sessions and following your doctor's instructions for post-treatment care are essential. Failure could increase the number of sessions.
You do not have to live with varicose and spider veins. Schedule a consultation with StrideCare's expert physicians at one of our vein clinics near you.
What Happens if I Have More Serious Vein Issues?
The best way to determine if sclerotherapy is right for you is to schedule a private consultation with one of our board-certified specialists. They will be happy to listen to your concerns, assess your veins' condition, and develop a fully personalized treatment plan to help you achieve your ultimate health goals. That said, sclerotherapy best suits small and medium vein issues.
If you are experiencing painful issues with larger varicose veins, there are a few other options, including:
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
Doctors insert a thin catheter into the diseased vein through a small puncture that does not leave a scar. Under ultrasound guidance, they guide the catheter into the thigh's great saphenous vein or the calf's small saphenous vein. The radiofrequency energy heats and seals the vein closed.
Microfoam Ablation
A specially formulated microfoam relieves your symptoms without heat or tumescent. Like sclerotherapy and RFA, this minimally invasive procedure typically takes less than an hour to complete and requires minimal downtime and a short recovery period.
This video features StrideCare's expert Interventional Radiologist Dr. Michael Humphrey, MD. As a highly trained interventional radiologist with three board certifications, Dr. Humphrey specializes in the minimally invasive treatment of venous insufficiency disease. He performs ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy and thermal ablation with state-of-the-art equipment and technology to restore blood flow and relieve painful symptoms in his patients.
StrideCare Specializes in Sclerotherapy Vein Treatments
You do not have to deal with unsightly spider veins or the inconveniences of painful varicose veins. Furthermore, you do not have to worry about surgery being the only option to help you reclaim your healthy legs. Minimally invasive vein treatments like sclerotherapy can be an extremely effective alternative.
Who could benefit from sclerotherapy? Anyone with noticeable spider and varicose veins, women who developed these vein conditions during pregnancy, and individuals with a family history of vein-related conditions. Doctors refer millions of patients to vascular surgeons yearly because of these experts' technical training and years of dedication to learning the intricacies of veins and arteries and how they impact people from all walks of life. Additionally, StrideCare's mission is to surround ourselves with the best in this field so that our patients are never short of options for reclaiming their lives.
StrideCare is the state's largest multi-specialty physician group dedicated to providing comprehensive care for lower extremity conditions. Our physicians are experts in a wide array of lower extremity issues, including foot and ankle ailments, as well as complex concerns related to wounds, vascular, and vein care. As the most extensive group of vascular specialists and podiatrists in Texas, StrideCare embraces a holistic approach to treating multi-faceted conditions such as diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, neuropathy, diabetic foot ulcers, venous disease, and various wounds.
Please contact us at 866-552-4866 or complete the appointment form to schedule a consultation. We are here to help, all while providing compassionate patient care.
Prior to starting any new treatment or questions regarding a medical condition, always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
StrideCare serves North Texas and South Texas communities, including Lake Jackson, San Antonio, Stone Oak, Austin, Round Rock, Bastrop, Brushy Creek, Cedar Park, Converse, Georgetown, Hutto, Kyle, Leander, Marble Falls, New Braunfels, Pasadena, Pearland, Pflugerville, San Marcos, Schertz, Bay City, Universal City, Spring, Kingwood, Stafford, Conroe, Texas City, Cypress, League City, Bellaire, Dallas, Mesquite, Addison, Arlington, Plano, McKinney, Craig Ranch, Prosper, Flower Mound, Euless, Southlake, South Dallas, Sherman, Irving, Garland, Carrollton, Rowlett, Coppell, Forney, Rockwall, Houston, Sugar Land, Katy, Webster, Clear Lake, The Woodlands, and more.
*Patient names and/or photos may be changed to protect patient confidentiality.