Foam Sclerotherapy, 7 Fields and surrounding area.
Everyone wants to avoid surgery if they possible can. By using Ultrasound Guided Foam Sclerotherapy it has become well established method of achieving long term cure of spider and varicose veins. This isn’t new, just good medicine:
In 1942 Orbach described a method of creating a foam or froth with the solution he injected. He found that this increased the efficacy of injection treatment by five times.
Over the last 15 years the use of foam injections has spread widely in France, Spain, Italy and Germany. It is now being enthusiastically taken up in several European countries, United States, South America, Australia and New Zealand. Experts agree: using a foam greatly increases the effect of the treatment without producing any additional side-effects. We have been using foam at the Advanced Vein Center for over 10 years !
What is Injected?
Polidocanol and other common solutions injected are exactly the same as those which are already used in the treatment of spider veins. When mixed with a gas, a mousse or foam consisting of very small bubbles occurs. It has been shown that this is perfectly safe to inject into the veins. The air is rapidly absorbed from the veins, leaving the solution to treat the veins.
Why Does Foam Work?
When a solution is injected into a vein it is immediately diluted by the blood, reducing its efficacy. Foam pushes the blood out of the way and completely fills the vein: the foam is not diluted by the blood. In fact, far less solution has to be injected to obtain the same effect.
The Treatment
Ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy
No hospitals are necessary! Treatment is performed right in our treatment room . You rest comfortably in the reclining chair. You don’t even need anesthesia because there is little discomfort from the injections.
Step 2: Foam is injected as we watch it by ultrasound. Injecting the foam causes no discomfort, although afterward, the leg may ache a bit
The entire foam treatment takes no more than 20 – 30 minutes.
3rd: Compression is applied to the leg. This ensures that the vein is compressed so that they do no fill with blood when the patient stands up. Compression stocking can be worn overnight then during the day for a week or two.
How To Recover From Sclerotherapy
The best thing about Sclerotherapy is that it has a really short downtime, which means you won’t have to spend days at home or hospital to recover.
Right after the treatment you can go home, however you may feel a little pain in your legs because of the injections but it should subside soon.
You can continue your daily activities from the day you treated your legs, but you may need to wait at least one day to go back to work.
For 3-5 days, you must avoid strenuous activities as well or you may develop new blood clots which can cause spider veins again.
Even after few days a little discomfort is normal in your legs so you shouldn’t worry about it since it will go away in 4-5 weeks.
Lastly, if you want to improve your Sclerotherapy results you can try normal activities like swimming, walking, aerobic exercises and yoga but avoid overdoing them or your veins may get damaged.
Your doctor will provide you with compression stockings too, these special clothes will apply pressure on your legs to prevent swelling, help deal with pain and help you achieve a faster and healthier recovery.
Can you go home after Sclerotherapy treatment?
Most patients can go home after Sclerotherapy treatment. The procedure itself usually takes less than an hour to complete, and patients can typically resume their normal activities immediately afterwards. However, there are some things to keep in mind after the procedure:
- Walking: Patients are typically encouraged to walk for at least 30 minutes after Sclerotherapy treatment to help prevent blood clots from forming.
- Compression stockings: Patients may be advised to wear compression stockings for a period of time after the procedure to help promote healing and reduce the risk of complications.
- Avoiding certain activities: Patients may be advised to avoid certain activities, such as heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, and hot baths or saunas for a period of time after the procedure.
- Follow-up appointments: Patients may need to schedule follow-up appointments with their healthcare provider to monitor their progress and determine whether additional treatments are needed.
In general, Sclerotherapy is a safe and effective treatment for spider veins and varicose veins. However, as with any medical procedure, there are some risks and potential complications associated with Sclerotherapy. It is important to discuss these risks with your healthcare provider and follow their instructions carefully to minimize the risk of complications and promote a successful outcome.
Can you go to work after Sclerotherapy?
Most patients can return to work immediately after Sclerotherapy treatment. The procedure itself usually takes less than an hour to complete, and patients can typically resume their normal activities, including work, immediately afterwards. However, it is important to follow any post-procedure instructions given by the healthcare provider, such as avoiding certain activities or wearing compression stockings, to ensure proper healing and minimize the risk of complications. Patients should also be aware that there may be some bruising, swelling, or discomfort after the procedure, but these symptoms typically resolve on their own within a few days to a week.
Are There Any Risks Or Side-Effects Of Sclerotherapy?
Yes, just like every other treatment Sclerotherapy has some complications too, however they are not as serious as you may think.
Some of the most common side effects of Sclerotherapy include:
- Inflammation: Inflammation in the treatment area is the most common side effect of Sclerotherapy, this inflammation can be caused by different factors.
For example, injection can cause sharp pain or the solution injected inside your vein can also cause some pain, but it’s nothing to worry about since it will subside on it’s own
- Allergic Reaction: Most of the time this side effects may not appear, however if you are allergic to the solution injected in your body then you may develop allergy!
FREE Vein Screenings
Call 724-987-3220
REQUEST A FREE VEIN SCREENING