Vien Therapy

Problem veins are not only unsightly but can cause painful burning. Known as spider veins, these tiny, purple and red blood vessels are commonly found on the face or thighs and lower legs. While they do carry blood, spider veins are not part of the venous valve system and can be eliminated
safely and permanently through a simple treatment, known as sclerotherapy.

Sclerotherapy is a quick, comfortable, non-surgical procedure used to eliminate small varicose veins and spider veins.

Sclerotherapy involves an injection of a solution ( generally a salt solution) directly into the vein. The solution irritates the lining of the blood vessel, causing it to swell and stick together, and the blood to clot. Overtime, the vessel turns into scar tissue that fades from view.

Injection is the preferred method to treat small varicose and spider veins. If the spider veins are too small or do not respond to sclerotherapy a laser may be used to treat these veins. Extremely large varicose veins are best evaluated by ultrasound, and then treated with an endovenous laser to close off the larger varicose veins. Dr. Walker does not perform this intravenous laser therapy, but refers patients to her trusted colleague who is a vascular surgeon.

What happens during vein treatment?

After the application of topical numbing cream, twenty minutes prior to the procedure, the salt solution is injected through a very fine needle directly into the vein. For some patients there may be slight discomfort and cramping for a couple of minutes, especially when larger veins are injected. The procedure itself takes 20-30 minutes. Tight compressive stockings are placed on the patient’s legs after the procedure, and the patient is instructed to go home and elevate their legs, and to wear the compressive stockings for 24- 48 hours.

The number of veins injected in one session varies, and depends on the size and location of the veins. Most patients require a minimum of three sclerotherapy injection sessions to see an overall improvement..

VEIN THERAPY FAQ’S

Q: Who are the best candidates for vein treatment?

A: The best candidates are in good health and are not pregnant.

Q: What if my veins need to be used for a future cardiac surgical bypass procedure?

A: Veins that are potentially useable for future surgical bypass procedures (for example the saphenous vein, a large vein in the leg used for coronary artery bypass procedures) will never be considered for sclerotherapy.