Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is a medical procedure involving an injection into your unwanted vein. The injection is typically a special foam medicine. When injected, the medicine irritates the lining of the vein and scar tissue forms. The vein closes and shrinks, and your body absorbs it and eliminates the useless damaged vein through your natural lymphatic system.

Sclerotherapy is a quick and effective 10-30 minute procedure performed in-office. Dr. Gioscia elevates your leg to drain the blood before administering the injection. Afterward, he carefully applies pressure over the veins to prevent the blood from rushing back to the area when you stand up.

Why would I choose sclerotherapy?

You might choose sclerotherapy for a few different reasons, including if you have: 

• Small and large varicose veins
• Veins that are unresponsive to other treatments
• Spider veins

You shouldn’t have sclerotherapy if you have deep vein thrombosis, inflammation or blood clots in the deep leg veins, or if you’re pregnant. Sclerotherapy is a popular choice for spider leg veins and the associated symptoms such as swelling, burning, and aching of the area.

Sclerotherapy is minimally invasive, and you can typically notice excellent results within a few weeks. In some instances, multiple treatments might be needed for the best outcome. Dr. Gioscia will let you know if you’re a good candidate for sclerotherapy.

What can I expect after my sclerotherapy?

With sclerotherapy, there’s no required hospital stay, and the procedure can be performed in-office. There’s no significant downtime, and you can leave right away.

You might choose to wear compression stockings for several weeks to continue applying pressure to the treated area. You should plan to rest for a day or two, but there isn’t generally a recovery period.

You’ll probably be walking around immediately, but you should avoid any heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for a few days after. You should also avoid sun exposure to the affected area for at least two weeks. 

By treating the malfunctioning veins, sclerotherapy improves your circulation because it prompts blood to flow through the healthier veins. Dr. Gioscia explains the procedure in detail during your personal consultation, so you can feel prepared, ask questions, and know what to expect.

Discover how sclerotherapy can benefit you and click or call Vein Institute of Westchester today.