Varicose Vein Treatments – Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is one of the most popular varicose vein treatments available today. This method does not require surgery and is relatively painless, making it an ideal option for many patients.

As St. Louis's premier vein treatment center, Midwest Vein Care offers a variety of world class varicose vein treatments. We have several kinds of varicose vein treatments available, and sclerotherapy is one of the most popular options. To learn more about the varicose vein treatments and all of the options we have available, call Midwest Vein Care at 636-536-0241.

Sclerotherapy – The Gold Standard in Varicose Vein Treatment

Sclerotherapy is one of the oldest varicose vein treatments as it has been around since the 1930s. Sclerotherapy involves the injection of a special foam or liquid into the unwanted or unhealthy veins. This leads to their collapse. When the veins collapse, the blood transported by those veins is re-routed through other veins. In time, the unhealthy veins will dissolve and are completely reabsorbed by the local tissue. In most cases, a small series of varicose vein sclerotherapy treatments may be required to fully dissolve and remove the veins.

Sclerotherapy is often done for cosmetic purposes. However, if you are facing physical problems and symptoms due to varicose veins such as swelling, aching, burning, or night cramps… then varicose vein treatments like sclerotherapy can also help you resolve these symptoms. Sclerotherapy is effective in nearly all cases. However, this may not work for a very few people…and they may have to undergo laser vein treatment or some other vein treatment option.

How Does This Varicose Vein Treatment Work?

During the sclerotherapy procedure, a liquid or foam is injected directly into the affected veins. One example of a liquid chemical medicine that is injected during sclerotherapy is sodium tetradecyl sulphate, or STD. When injected, this liquid displaces blood from the vein and irritates the inner lining, causing the vein to swell closed. The swelling also pushes the blood out, allowing the injured walls to collapse and form an injured venous cord. A pressure bandage or compression hosiery is then applied to the area that was treated. The swelling and the bandage prevent blood from returning to the vein. This ultimately closes the vein, leading to the formation of an inert sclerotic cord, and finally its reabsorption by the body.

At Midwest Vein Care, Dr. Goldstein performs a special type of procedure known as ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy. In foam sclerotherapy, the same type of chemical is used, but it is in a microbubble foam form. Foam sclerotherapy allows the phlebologist to treat veins that cannot be treated with conventional varicose vein treatments. This method is suitable for most types of varicose veins.

The Advantages of Foam Sclerotherapy Over Other Varicose Vein Treatments

Foam sclerotherapy has several advantages over other varicose vein treatments and liquid sclerotherapy.

• Foam sclerosant is thicker, stronger, longer acting.
• The foam chemical does not dilute as rapidly in the blood as liquid sclerosants.
• The foam is echogenic, ie. it is visible on ultrasound and can be followed when injected to assure that the foam goes exactly where we want it to go.
• The foam sticks to the vein walls better and for longer, giving great results.
• The foam spreads and stays in a large complex of veins for an extended period, allowing for effective treatment with less injections, no surgical incisions in compromised tissue, and successful treatment of previously resistant veins to liquid sclerotherapy
• Foam sclerotherapy is more effective in larger, twisted veins that may not lend themselves well to endovenous laser placement, and can help to avoid the necessity of having to surgically remove those large very twisted veins.
• There is little interruption to your lifestyle. You can return to your daily routine immediately.
• The procedure is relatively painless. Rarely needed, doctor may give you an anesthetic to help you with the discomfort.
• There are very few complications, unlike with other varicose vein treatments such as surgery.
• The procedure can be done quickly in an outpatient office setting. There is no surgery involved and you do not have to stay in the hospital or medical facility for a period of time.
• In just a few treatment visits, you will get the excellent results that you deserve.

Contact Midwest Vein Care to Learn More About Varicose Vein Treatments

Among varicose vein treatments, sclerotherapy has one of the best success rates. Sclerotherapy is the international gold standard for varicose vein removal, and at Midwest Vein Care, we have mastered the art and science of vein sclerotherapy. Our sclerotherapy treatments are very safe, and very effective. If you are located in the St. Louis area and you want to know more about this and other varicose vein treatments, call Midwest Vein Care today at 636-536-0241.