Are the foam sclerotherapy treatments working like they should?

I have had foam sclerosants injected into three veins, two of which have gone hard. The last vein in the back of my thigh feels the same as before and it disappears when I lie down, as if blood is still traveling in it. Does that mean it was missed, or should I give it time?

Answers from doctors (9)


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Mar 13, 2018

Typically it can take 1-3 treatments for veins to respond to foamed sclerotherapy. We also prefer to see our patients and remove any "trapped" blood in the hard veins. If not removed it will take longer to heal and increase the chance of gettting pigmentation in the skin. If the vein is as you describe it will need to be reinjected after 4-6 weeks. We also recommend compression hose for about a week after (3 days 24/7 then during the day for 4 days.).

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Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Typically it can take 1-3 treatments for veins to respond to foamed sclerotherapy. We also prefer to see our patients and remove any "trapped" blood in the hard veins. If not removed it will take longer to heal and increase the chance of gettting pigmentation in the skin. If the vein is as you describe it will need to be reinjected after 4-6 weeks. We also recommend compression hose for about a week after (3 days 24/7 then during the day for 4 days.).

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Intermountain Vein Center

Published on Apr 01, 2014

If the veins are bulging, then phlebectomy would be a better option. What the sclero does is it clots off the veins so they turn to scar tissue. That is why those two veins feel hard. That will eventually go away and those veins won't even be there any more. Sometimes it takes a few times with injections to close those veins completely.

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Answered by Intermountain Vein Center

If the veins are bulging, then phlebectomy would be a better option. What the sclero does is it clots off the veins so they turn to scar tissue. That is why those two veins feel hard. That will eventually go away and those veins won't even be there any more. Sometimes it takes a few times with injections to close those veins completely.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


South Palm Cardiovascular Associates

Published on Mar 18, 2014

Give it some time and follow up with your treating specialist. The hard feeling is normal, and will last 1-3 months.

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Answered by South Palm Cardiovascular Associates

Give it some time and follow up with your treating specialist. The hard feeling is normal, and will last 1-3 months.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


I would give it about a month to make sure it doesn't close, but it may be that it did not close completely on the first injection, or it could be partially closed. This is not uncommon with sclerotherapy. I would re-inject it with higher concentration foam, which should do the trick.

Answered by HeartCare Associates Vein Center (View Profile)

I would give it about a month to make sure it doesn't close, but it may be that it did not close completely on the first injection, or it could be partially closed. This is not uncommon with sclerotherapy. I would re-inject it with higher concentration foam, which should do the trick.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Center of Orange County

Published on Mar 06, 2014

Not all veins respond to the first injection of foam or solution. If a treated vein is soft and compressible after seven days, that means it was stubborn and did not respond to treatment. Whether it was not included in
your treatment or failed to respond, your doctor can confirm what's going on and offer additional treatment to any residual veins.

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Answered by Vein Center of Orange County

Not all veins respond to the first injection of foam or solution. If a treated vein is soft and compressible after seven days, that means it was stubborn and did not respond to treatment. Whether it was not included in
your treatment or failed to respond, your doctor can confirm what's going on and offer additional treatment to any residual veins.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Care of New Mexico

Published on Mar 06, 2014

Hard areas may represent trapped blood, which can be drained. Further treatment may be needed. Duplex ultrasound exam can clarify situation.

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Answered by Vein Care of New Mexico

Hard areas may represent trapped blood, which can be drained. Further treatment may be needed. Duplex ultrasound exam can clarify situation.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Laser Vein Center

Published on Mar 05, 2014

It sound like it may need more treatment. It may take several treatment to
harden or make the veins go away with Foam Sclerotherapy.

Answered by Laser Vein Center (View Profile)

It sound like it may need more treatment. It may take several treatment to
harden or make the veins go away with Foam Sclerotherapy.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Heart and Vein Center

Published on Mar 05, 2014

For the most part the veins become hard between 7-10 days after foam sclerotherapy. If the vein is still "soft" most likely needs to be injected again.

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Answered by Heart and Vein Center

For the most part the veins become hard between 7-10 days after foam sclerotherapy. If the vein is still "soft" most likely needs to be injected again.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Mar 05, 2014

Following foam sclerotherapy and any sclerotherapy, veins can clot from the treatment. This appears to have occurred in 2 of your 3 treated veins. The third vein appears to still be open. I usually wait 6 weeks between treatments. If the vein has not closed by then, then it may need to be treated again.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Following foam sclerotherapy and any sclerotherapy, veins can clot from the treatment. This appears to have occurred in 2 of your 3 treated veins. The third vein appears to still be open. I usually wait 6 weeks between treatments. If the vein has not closed by then, then it may need to be treated again.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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