You can still be treated by ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy, or possibly phlebectomy if the vein is very superficial.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Veins that coil a lot are great candidates for either regular ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy treatments or the Varithena procedure. Both techniques involve injecting a sclerosant foam via ultrasound guidance into the affected vein(s). This foam does the exact same thing as the VNUS procedure, except with chemical irritation as opposed to heat energy. Since the foam is not rigid, it can easily travel up veins that are either straight or coiling. The only difference between regular ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy and the Varithena procedure is that the Varithena procedure uses a proprietary foam that is slightly more concentrated than the foam used in regular foam sclerotherapy. The end result after treatment is the same for both. The only other option is potentially stab phlebectomy for those visible ropey veins near the skin surface. I do not routinely recommend this procedure because it can leave scars and is much more traumatic than either of the foam sclerotherapy procedures I mentioned above. Both foam sclerotherapy procedures can also be used to treat any ropey veins as well, just minus the scars. Find a board-certified doc who knows how to do these procedures and make your legs feel better.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

This is a difficult situation. There are other options for you though. Depending on which vein is refluxing, you may be a candidate for non-thermal closure with Varithena or ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy. If the veins are close enough to the skin, you may be able to have ambulatory phlebectomy or vein removal.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

There are special fibers that can be used to 'spot close' segments of the vein and use sclerosant solution in between to increase effectiveness of the intervention. This is an advanced technique that expert vein specialists do.

Other techniques may be using chemical glue (VenaSeal) or catheter-directed foam, which may not be doable technically because a catheter has to be introduced.

Always see an ABVLM certified vein specialist.

Published on Jul 11, 2012