Spider Veins / Leg Vein Treatment

Many women and men suffer from dilated or varicose veins of the legs.  These often develop as a result of an injury (such as getting hit by a tennis ball) or after pregnancy.  In addition to their cosmetic appearance, varicose and spider veins may contribute to swelling of the ankles or a heavy, tired feeling of the legs at the end of the day.  The “gold standard” in treatment of varicose and spider veins is injection sclerotherapy.  In injection sclerotherapy, a “sclerosant” solution is injected into the involved vein.  These solutions irritate the inside of the vein causing it to close and scar shut (sclerose).  The body slowly reabsorbs the vein over a few months.  Some commonly used sclerosant solutions are glycerol (sugar water) or sodium tetradecyl sulfate (a surfactant).

What does treatment involve?

A specific treatment plan will be designed for you based on the size of the vessels involved.

Small Veins: The majority of patients have lesions involving smaller veins.  The “sclerosant” solution is injected through a tiny needle into the dilated vein through a series of small punctures.  The patient returns to normal activity immediately, with the exception of no weight lifting for a few days.

Medium Veins: The “ropy” veins near the surface of the skin may be injected with a foamy sclerosant solution.  If that fails to eliminate them, they are often removed through a series of tiny micro-incisions along the vein, avoiding the old-fashioned “vein-stripping.”

Large Veins: If larger or deeper vessels are involved, you may be asked to get an ultrasound of the large veins.  Closure of a larger vein may be done with a laser passed through the vein, eliminating the need for surgery.  Normal activity is resumed immediately with the exception of no weight lifting for 2-3 weeks.