Windflower Vein & Vascular

Sclerotherapy & Spider Veins Treatment

Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive way of treating varicose and spider veins.

What Can I Expect From Superficial Sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy requires several treatment sessions, depending on your individual needs. Each session takes about one half-hour and involves a number of tiny injections, according to the size and number of veins. Most patients find the injections minimally uncomfortable similar to a pinprick. Bruising is normal and will fade in 2-3 weeks. There is no need for time off work, and moderate exercise is encouraged following treatment. When a larger vein is injected, we apply a compression pad, and during recovery, you'll have to wear compression stockings for five days.

Download our pdf to learn more about what to expect after treatment.

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What is Sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy involves injecting medications into varicose veins, which will irritate their inner walls, causing the veins to collapse and close. This treatment is effective when combined with an experienced, high volume provider, and sound clinical judgement. While it is not generally recommended for the treatment of large veins (like the greater saphenous vein) it can be a good option for smaller veins.

Sclerotherapy can be done superficially by directly injecting a visible surface vein. It can also be done to close deeper veins under ultrasound guidance. This is also known as echosclerotherapy. Often we will combine sclerotherapy with other modalities like endovenous laser or phlebectomy to get the best results for each unique situation.

Large veins may be better treated with endovenous laser or surgery. The long term success rate for sclerotherapy is generally less than Endovenous Laser but occasionally this is a good trade off for some patients and we can weigh the pros and cons as they apply to you. This is one of the key benefits of attending a clinic that offers all of the different treatment options.

Let our experienced team book a consultation and advise you on whether sclerotherapy is the right treatment option.

What Is Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy?

Ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy is a form of varicose vein treatment that helps to treat veins under the skin.

Ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy, also known as echosclerotherapy, is used to treat veins that are difficult to see and inject. By using an ultrasound machine, deeper veins are easier to visualize and target.

This technique is especially useful for the smaller, twisty veins that recur after surgery. The process works by using an ultrasound to examine and create an advanced map of the veins. After the map's creation, our doctors will review it and find the abnormal veins before treatment.

The ultrasound allows us to see where the affected veins are and treat them accordingly. Ultrasound is used during the sclerotherapy process to continue guiding our treatment.

A small amount of local anesthetic is infiltrated under the skin, and then a plastic-coated needle (catheter) is positioned in the vein. (The procedure is usually painless, as the area is numb from the local anesthetic). A medication (sclerosant), which closes the insufficient vein, will be carefully injected and monitored on the ultrasound screen with the catheter in place.

Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy Aftercare

We place a Band-Aid over the area injected to provide compression and collapse the vein network. You will need to leave the bandage on for five days and five nights after the procedure and wear a medium strength compression stocking or two light compression stockings superimposed. Success rates are high, but in some cases, a second injection will be needed at a later date. For larger veins or more complex cases we may break up the treatment into 2 or 3 appointments.

Our experienced team is happy to talk about aftercare with you once your procedure is complete, getting you on the path to healthy and beautiful legs.

Calgary's Leading Sclerotherapy Specialists

Curious about how sclerotherapy works and wondering if it's the right vein treatment option for you?

Contact our team at Windflower Vein & Vascular Ito book a consultation and see how we can help.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Happens At The First Visit?

We will ask you to complete a short questionnaire about your problem and general health history during the first visit. Following this, the nurse will review your medical history and obtain your blood pressure and leg measurements.

The doctor will then examine your legs from groin to toes and check blood flow with a Doppler ultrasound. If you have not already had one, we may arrange a colour flow duplex ultrasound assessment to provide a detailed map of your venous function and anatomy. It is extremely important that a complete evaluation of the venous system has been undertaken within a year. This is necessary to ensure that the treatment plan is suited to your specific situation. Finally, we will review your diagnosis and create a custom treatment plan for your varicose veins.

Are There Any Risks to Sclerotherapy?

When injecting larger veins, it is relatively common to develop a firm, tender cord or lumps along the vein. Tender cords and lumps are normal and indicate the vein has responded to the injection. Occasionally, a brownish pigmentation may develop in the skin overlying a treated vein. This gradually fades over several months, but in unusual instances, some discolouration remains.

There are several rare but potentially severe complications. Allergic reactions can occur with any medication. There have been occasional reports of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in the medical literature after a vein treatment. When using foam medication to treat veins, patients occasionally notice brief visual symptoms, a dry cough, or migraine headaches.

Will Varicose Veins Recur After Sclerotherapy?

How Does Blood Circulate Post Sclerotherapy Treatment?

Many patients ask how the blood will get back to the heart after the veins have been closed by sclerotherapy. In fact, 90% of our blood return is handled by the deep venous system, which is never treated. Only the superficial veins, which carry 10% of the blood, can become varicose. Moreover, varicose veins are not functioning correctly, so the blood has already found other veins to circulate through.

Helpful Hints For Treatment

Before Treatment

Avoid aspirin for one week to reduce bruising
Do not wax or shave your legs the day of treatment
Avoid using skin lotion before treatment (tape will not stick)
Remember to bring your compression stockings
Reschedule if ill with fever
Avoid injections for two week period before vacation or travel
Eat regular meals to prevent feeling faint

After Sclerotherapy Treatment

Wear support hose (or tensor) for five to seven days
Walk for 10 minutes immediately following the injections
Walk or exercise regularly between treatments but avoid high impact exercise, straining or weight lifting for days
Elevate your legs for 10 minutes following the injections before getting off the treatment table
If legs are uncomfortable, walk for 20 minutes, then elevate
Drink 6-8 glasses of water daily
Avoid sun tanning & hot baths or showers in the week after treatment
Apply ice to lumpy, healing veins if tender

If you have concerns, including pain, swelling, rash or hives call the clinic at 403-220-9353

Patient Testimonials

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