Can Sclerotherapy make a difference on the spider veins in the ankle area?

My doctor, during the screening, just said I had lots of veins and it would take at least 4 treatments. I specifically asked him about the ankle area and he just said "how afraid of needles are you?" I've read this area is difficult to treat.

Answers from doctors (11)


More About Doctor Laser Vein Center

Published on Aug 22, 2010

Sclerotherapy can be very successful around the ankle. One must first be sure that all of the larger incompetent veins in the distal calf and ankle have been treated. I prefer to treat ankles in several sessions since overaggressive sclerotherapy at the ankle can result in temporary swelling of the foot which can be very annoying to the patients.
It is true however, that the foot and ankle are slightly more sensitive than the calf and thigh. These areas are basically skin and bone, with little subcutaneous tissue, or "meat" to help absorb inflammation. In addition, there are numerous tiny superficial nerves in these areas.

Answered by Laser Vein Center (View Profile)

Sclerotherapy can be very successful around the ankle. One must first be sure that all of the larger incompetent veins in the distal calf and ankle have been treated. I prefer to treat ankles in several sessions since overaggressive sclerotherapy at the ankle can result in temporary swelling of the foot which can be very annoying to the patients.
It is true however, that the foot and ankle are slightly more sensitive than the calf and thigh. These areas are basically skin and bone, with little subcutaneous tissue, or "meat" to help absorb inflammation. In addition, there are numerous tiny superficial nerves in these areas.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Aug 17, 2010

Spider veins around the ankle can be treated by sclerotherapy with excellent results. However, because there is very little fat around this area, the injections may be more sensitive. Also, for best results, it is important to ensure that proximal reflux is eliminated.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Spider veins around the ankle can be treated by sclerotherapy with excellent results. However, because there is very little fat around this area, the injections may be more sensitive. Also, for best results, it is important to ensure that proximal reflux is eliminated.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Miller Vein

Published on Jul 22, 2010

Yes, they can be treated.

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Answered by Miller Vein

Yes, they can be treated.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


VeinCare Centers of Tennessee

Published on Jul 20, 2010

Sclerotherapy can be very successful around the ankle. One must first be sure that all of the larger incompetent veins in the distal calf and ankle have been treated. I prefer to treat ankles in several sessions since overaggressive sclerotherapy at the ankle can result in temporary swelling of the foot which can be very annoying to the patients.

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Answered by VeinCare Centers of Tennessee

Sclerotherapy can be very successful around the ankle. One must first be sure that all of the larger incompetent veins in the distal calf and ankle have been treated. I prefer to treat ankles in several sessions since overaggressive sclerotherapy at the ankle can result in temporary swelling of the foot which can be very annoying to the patients.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Angelo N. Makris MD

Published on Jul 19, 2010

Yes. Spiders viens around the ankle can be treated with sclerotherapy with good results. The area tends to be more sensitive and needle sticks in that area tend to hurt moreso than in other areas.

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Answered by Angelo N. Makris MD

Yes. Spiders viens around the ankle can be treated with sclerotherapy with good results. The area tends to be more sensitive and needle sticks in that area tend to hurt moreso than in other areas.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Heart and Vein Center

Published on Jul 19, 2010

Sclerotherapy can be succesfully used to treat spider veins in the ankle area. The number of injections needsde will just depend on the extent of the problem. The area seems to be a bit more sensitive than other areas of the legs.

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Answered by Heart and Vein Center

Sclerotherapy can be succesfully used to treat spider veins in the ankle area. The number of injections needsde will just depend on the extent of the problem. The area seems to be a bit more sensitive than other areas of the legs.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Susan B Fox, D.O. RPVI, FSVM

Published on Jul 19, 2010

It is not very comfortable on the ankles. It is right above the bone and hurts more than in other areas. There are also important arteries in this area so go to someone who knows what they are doing. It will take several sessions to go away

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Answered by Susan B Fox, D.O. RPVI, FSVM

It is not very comfortable on the ankles. It is right above the bone and hurts more than in other areas. There are also important arteries in this area so go to someone who knows what they are doing. It will take several sessions to go away

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Innovative Vein

Published on Jul 18, 2010

Spider veins respond the best to sclerotherapy, which is completed by injection.
This area should respond well if enough treatment is completed.

Answered by Innovative Vein (View Profile)

Spider veins respond the best to sclerotherapy, which is completed by injection.
This area should respond well if enough treatment is completed.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialists

Published on Jul 16, 2010

You need a venous insufficiency study to see if anything above is causing the spiders in the ankle regions and this was not suggested or performed, I might look around for another specialist. Otherwise if you have had the study and it did not show insufficiency, then I would encourage you to proceed with injections. We use 32 gauge needles in my practice and typically use glycerine and xylocaine with epinephrine 1:1.

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Answered by Vein Specialists

You need a venous insufficiency study to see if anything above is causing the spiders in the ankle regions and this was not suggested or performed, I might look around for another specialist. Otherwise if you have had the study and it did not show insufficiency, then I would encourage you to proceed with injections. We use 32 gauge needles in my practice and typically use glycerine and xylocaine with epinephrine 1:1.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


General Vascular Surgery Group

Published on Jul 16, 2010

I does work well in this area with persistence. An evaluation of the deeper vein problems may be in order with ultrasound depending on symptoms.

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Answered by General Vascular Surgery Group

I does work well in this area with persistence. An evaluation of the deeper vein problems may be in order with ultrasound depending on symptoms.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Bella MD Laser Vein and Aesthetic Center

Published on Jul 16, 2010

Can be treated. Number of treatments depends on the amount of veins. Will look better but certainly not perfect.

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Answered by Bella MD Laser Vein and Aesthetic Center

Can be treated. Number of treatments depends on the amount of veins. Will look better but certainly not perfect.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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