Varicose and Spider Veins
Sclerotherapy for varicose & spider veins.
Visible veins, are sometimes painful, but more importantly
they are one of the greatest offenders in creaing a lack of self
confidence. Our fashion and lifestyle options are severely
limited by Visible veins.
Varicose veins affect 25% of the
population with women being afflicted more commonly than
men. Surgery used to be the treatment most commonly used
in the past until sclerotherapy became available.
Types of treatment available today.
There are three effective treatment options for the different
types
These treatments are sclerotherapy, surgery and laser therapy.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is an injection method for eliminating varicose veins and telangiectasiae (spider veins) Using tiny needles a solution, called a “sclerosing agent” is injected into the veins. This sclerosant solution starts off a process whereby the body closes and contracts the offending vein so that it disappears.
This solution irritates the inside lining of the vein wall and
with pressure from bandages the vein walls are forced to
stick together, sealing the leaking valves that may be
present.
This obliterates the vein, which hardens into a fibrous cord
and subsequently shrivels.
The blood in these abnormal veins had been flowing in the wrong direction down the leg. Following treatment this blood is re-routed back into the deep veins, and back up the leg towards the heart. This improvement in the venous circulation is often able to relieve the pressure symptoms associated with varicose or spider veins.
Sclerotherapy can eliminate large veins, either alone, or in conjunction with less invasive outpatient surgery. Sclerotherapy is recommended treatment for smaller accessory veins to prevent their deterioration into larger bulging varicose veins. Sclerotherapy is without parallel and most effective in the treatment of leg spider veins.
Veins which are easily visible are injected without the use of ultrasound as a guide.
Ultrasound guided sclerotherapy (U.G.S)
Those veins which are not seen on the surface may be difficult
to locate, and therefore hard to inject.
The ultrasound is used to locate veins which are difficult to see with the naked eye.
The offending vein is visible on the ultrasound screen
and a needle or canula can be inserted into the vein and a
sclerosant solution injected safely leading to contraction
and disappearance of the offending vein.
A modification and update on this technique is to use a foam
sclerosant foam rather than a liquid.
The foam itself is visible
on the ultrasound screen whereas the plain solution is not.
Surgery
Surgery may be effective or recommended for larger veins where the main valves in the groin or back of the knee are defective. This may entail only ligation or tying off the veins in these areas, or in addition, stripping and removal of veins from the legs. Surgical treatment often requires a short hospital stay.
Laser Therapy
Laser treatment is very effective for tiny capillaries on the
face. In most cases, laser treatment is not effective for the
treatment of leg spider veins due to the higher pressures in
the legs.
Laser treatment may be slightly painful, and can cause
redness and blistering with the possibility of scarring.
Results
The vast majority of our patients have good to excellent
results with sclerotherapy.
Most patients can see and feel a vast improvement in their
legs. Unfortunately however, there is no guarantee that
sclerotherapy will be effective in every case. Approximately
10% of our patients, who undergo sclerotherapy, have only
poor to fair results.
“Poor results” means the veins and any associated symptoms have not substantially disappeared after six to ten treatments. This is seen especially in patients who have had previous surgery on one or more occasions, or who have quite severe disease.
The number of treatments needed to clear or improve the
condition varies from patient to patient, depending on the
extent of varicose and spider veins present.
On the average a good response requires from 3 to ten
treatments, but some difficult patients will require even more
treatments. The treatment usually takes from one to several
months, and the healing continues over a longer time.
The consequences of leaving veins untreated.
When veins are left untreated, both the symptoms and the
appearance will progressively continue to worsen.
There is the continued risk of haemorrhage, dermatitis
and phlebitis (inflammation of the veins).
In addition, spontaneous deep thrombosis (clots in the
deep veins) can occur with the associated risk of possible
pulmonary embolism. Years later, recurrent painful ulcers can develop in the ankle
region. These leg ulcers are notoriously difficult to treat,
and take a long time to heal.
Before Treatment.
Please do not apply moisturizing lotions to your legs on the
day of treatment.
Do not shave or wax your legs for 48 hours
prior to treatment.
Patient instructions after Sclerotherapy Compression.
The white adhesive tape used for compression stays on for
up to 24 hours.
Remove them earlier if they irritate your skin.
Eucalyptus oil is useful in removing the adhesive.
The Narrow Transparent Tapes are to be removed after four
hours; earlier if any irritation is experienced.
Compression Stockings / Socks or Panty-Hose when ordered
by the Doctor, should be worn whenever standing.
They may be removed when lying in bed or temporarily when
showering. (ie. On during the day and take them off at night).
They may need to be worn for a number of weeks after
treatment - please ask the Doctor.
Exercise
- Walk briskly for at least 30 minutes daily whilst in treatment.
- Avoid vigorous exercise for 24 hours.
Travel
- If you should go on a long car trip, you must walk for at least 5 minutes every hour during the trip. Moving the toes and ankles promotes good circulation.
- Air travel should be avoided for at least 24 hours. Possible reactions after treatment.
Bruises are common. Some patients bruise more easily than
others. Some veins will turn dark soon after treatment and
temporarily look worse before they look better.
Occasionally a brownish stain may occur. This will fade with
time. Applying Arnica ointment (obtained from your pharmacy
or health food store) will speed up this process.
Tenderness and Redness along sections of the injected veins may appear. This is not an infection. Walking rather than sitting down will reduce the soreness. Sometimes an oral ant-inflammatory agent is required for quicker relief.
Lumps along sections of the injected veins can occur. This is quite normal. Blisters can sometimes appear over the skin. These are usually caused by an allergy to the tape. Rarely if the solution leaks into the skin, a small sore may form. These will all heal with time.
A generalised rash or itching, particularly of the palms of the hands and soles of the feet usually means an allergic reaction. Please contact us immediately if this occurs.
All Medical procedures have benefits and potential side effects, Face Body & Soul Sclerotherapy is a relatively safe and effective treatment.