Foam Sclerotherapy Irritates Vein Walls to Eliminate Spider Veins

Foam sclerotherapy is a procedure that has been used by clinics and vein specialists throughout Ladera Ranch, California to help patients find relief from spider veins and small varicose veins. These conditions may cause some degree of embarrassment and self-consciousness for many patients due to the unappealing appearance of the condition. Patients should discuss their condition with a vein specialist in their area to determine if they are suffering from spider veins or varicose veins. While foam sclerotherapy has been used to treat smaller varicose veins, those with large varicose veins may be encouraged to explore other options such as endovenous laser ablation or VNUS.

Once the condition has been established as spider veins or smaller varicose veins, treatment may begin. Foam sclerotherapy utilizes a chemical sclerant that irritates the vein walls, causing the vein to shrink, collapse and fade away completely. The treatment is minimally-invasive and patients are able to return to work or resume other normal daily activities following foam sclerotherapy. Recovery is very minimal and aside from the compression stockings that may be required for a few days to aid in healing, there is virtually no recovery or downtime required.

The procedure itself is very simple. The treatment area is anesthetized with a topical anesthetic to numb the area. Injections are then made along the problem vein; typically one injection is required for every inch of vein being treated. The placement of the injections are confirmed and the spread of the chemical sclerant is tracked using ultrasound technology. The procedure takes about 30 to 45 minutes to perform in most cases, although this may vary. Patients with further questions as to how this procedure is performed are encouraged to discuss the matter in greater detail with a vein specialist in their area.

Most men and women with spider veins or small varicose veins are considered candidates for foam sclerotherapy, although certain medical conditions may prevent some individuals from undergoing the procedure. Individuals with blood or cardiovascular problems and pregnant women may not be considered candidates for foam sclerotherapy and may be required to seek other treatment options. All patients should discuss their candidacy with a vein specialist before treatment.

In most cases, patients are able to achieve satisfactory results after just one session of foam sclerotherapy, although some may require subsequent sessions to achieve optimal results. There may be a higher risk of microembolisms associated with foam sclerotherapy and patients should discuss this with their doctor. Microembolisms are tiny blood clots that form in the treatment area. Itching, bruising and redness around the injection site may also occur, although these side effects should resolve within a few days.

Foam sclerotherapy holds a few advantages over other vein treatments available at most clinics throughout Ladera Ranch and Southern California. Foam sclerotherapy utilizes a foam sclerant instead of a liquid sclerant common in most sclerotherapy procedures. The foam formulation allows for greater contact with more of the vein wall and helps to displace blood much better than the liquid formulation. The foam formulation is also much easier to follow on ultrasound.

This procedure is much less invasive than many other treatments. Surgical stripping and ligation procedures had been the norm for treatment of varicose veins and other venous problems until the advent of minimally- and non-invasive treatments like foam sclerotherapy. While it does require injections, the procedure is virtually non-invasive. Those who would like to know more about foam sclerotherapy or other treatments for spider veins or varicose veins are encouraged to consult a vein specialist in the Ladera Ranch community.

Learn more about foam sclerotherapy in Ladera Ranch, California.