I was wondering if I should continue to wear my 18-24 mmHg compression stocking 3 weeks after my sclerotherapy treatment. I was told once that even if the condition improves, wearing stockings can prevent varicose veins from coming back again. Is that true?
Compression may prevent future veins if you are on you feet for prolonged periods of time (e.g., school teacher, bank teller, cop, etc.). Beyond 2-3 weeks after sclero treatment, compression stockings are not necessary.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Standard procedure is to wear 20-30 compression stockings for 1 wk after any procedure (ablation, ambulatory phlebectomy, sclerotherapy). Wearing compression stockings may slow the progression of further vein disease, but not necessarily prevent varicose veins from coming back. They will certainly help with symptom relief at the very least. Sometimes after spider vein injections, the nurse or physician will say to the wear the stockings for 10-14 days.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
The stockings wouldn't hurt, but the large majority of their benefit is done. I usually tell my patients if they work long hours or are traveling several hours at a time, to wear the stockings throughout the day, taking them only off at night before bed. However, after 3 weeks you don't have to wear them.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Compression stockings do not prevent varicose or spider vein formation, but they may slow down the development of new varices.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
That is true. There is nothing that can really help prevent varicose or spider veins from forming. Things like regular exercise and healthy eating are good for your body as well as you legs. However, if you are having
swelling, compression stockings could help with that.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Wearing stockings 3 weeks after treatment will not likely assist further in healing, but wearing stockings regularly can help slow down the inevitable progression of developing veins. That said, compression stockings can't stop the progression of vein disease.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Compression stockings are a part of the sclerothrapy treatment for spider veins; they do not prevent varicose veins.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
In medical literature, the use of compression stockings has never been shown to decrease a person's vein disease or slow down the progression of the vein disease. It is purely a symptomatic tool that can help to minimize a person's discomfort or symptoms from vein issues. It does not get rid of them for you. That being said, vein disease is an inherited and progressive disease. The more you have, the faster it develops. Wearing compression stockings is not going to change this fact. Having one's vein issues treated in its entirety will help to slow the progression and development of new vein issues but even that will not cure you of vein disease. Please note that "treating in its entirety" does not mean shooting up a few spiders. It means addressing and treating "all" aspects of your vein disease starting with the larger vessels deep in the legs all the way out to the reticular and spider veins on the surface.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
In our clinic, we recommend one week of 20-30 mmHg compression 24/7, then you are done. However, for people who work jobs which involve standing or prolonged sitting, they will often feel less tired at the end of the day and reduce risk of DVT (blood clots). While hose won't prevent spider veins, they can slow down the development.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
The honest answer is we don't know . There have been no studies that have shown compression stocking can prevent spider or varicose veins. We can only hope.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Yes.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
There is no need to continue wearing the compression stocking unless you have symptoms/complications.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
The length of time to wear support hose post-sclerotherapy varies with each doctor. I only recommend 48 hours of compression post-sclerotherapy. Long-term wearing of support hose will decrease the incidence of varicose veins by reducing the venous pressure and increasing the venous return to the heart.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Yes, long term use of 20-30 mmHg compression stockings may delay progression of venous disease.
Published on Jul 11, 2012