Sclerotherapy Treatment

In sclerotherapy treatments, a series of microinjections of a solution (“sclerosant”) are administered directly into varicose veins or spider veins. The injected solution closes off veins with abnormal valves. Over time, the treated veins shrink and are eventually absorbed by your body. Blood flow naturally reroutes itself into healthy veins, improving circulation and eliminating the root cause, as well as the symptoms of vein disease.

Treatment may or may not involve ultrasound to either map your venous system for diagnosis or to provide a live view of your veins. Physicians usually utilize ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy to treat larger varicose veins. For smaller spider veins closer to the skin’s surface, ultrasound guidance is usually not necessary and visual inspection is sufficient.

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to sclerotherapy, but there are some key benefits to this customized treatment option for spider veins:

• It’s safe, proven, does not require hospitalization.
• Treats spider veins as well as ropey, bulging varicosities.
• Sclerotherapy treatment sessions usually take less than an hour.
• Patients describe a sensation of light pinches, some burning and itching.
• Recovery time is generally very short—most people are back to their regular routine the same day.

Sclerotherapy may be used on its own or in conjunction with endovenous thermal or adhesive ablation procedures. Your vein specialist will customize a treatment plan designed to improve your health and allow you to return to your active lifestyle as quickly as possible.

Explore before and after sclerotherapy treatment photos >

The price of a sclerotherapy treatment varies depending on the physician’s diagnosis of the vein issue, as well as insurance coverage. Because treating vein disease is our specialty, we work with patients to discuss payment options that best fit your needs. Two popular options we have are CareCredit® and Flex Spend Accounts (FSA/HSA).

• CareCredit® is a credit card made for out-of-pocket healthcare costs when insurance doesn’t fully cover treatments.
• FSA and HSA are other options that may allow for reimbursement of health-related treatments and expenses, including those for vein disorders. However, always check with your plan’s administrator for options. For more information, visit our Financial Assistance page.

The risks of sclerotherapy are small and most are very rare, as this is a proven safe treatment performed multiple times a day at our vein clinics across the country. Some possible risks of sclerotherapy treatment include:

• Infection
• Allergic reaction to solution
• Formation of blood clots
• Intraarterial injection

Following your consultation, and ultrasound appointment, if needed, your vein specialist will meet with you to share your customized treatment plan. They will provide an overview of the procedure, what you can expect, how to prepare for it, and what to expect following the procedure.

Although these will vary based on whether your provider is treating spider veins or varicose veins, here’s what to expect the night before and day of your sclerotherapy procedure:

The night before treatment:

• Get plenty of sleep, stay hydrated, and pack your compression stockings to bring to the office for the appointment!

The day of treatment:

• Take medications as directed, eat meals as you normally would and drink plenty of water. If you have been prescribed compression stockings, do not wear them on the day of procedure.
• Once you arrive at the office and check in, you will be escorted to a changing room where you will be asked to change into disposable shorts. Once ready, pre-procedure photos will be taken of your leg and you will then be escorted into the procedure room.
• Your leg will be cleaned and your provider will walk you through each step in the process with as much or little detail as you would like.
• The appointment time will be approximately one hour but the procedure time will be approximately 15-20 minutes.
• You will feel a light pinching as local anesthesia is injected just below the skin and you may feel a slight burning or itching sensation as the medication is injected into your vein.
• Once the procedure is complete, they will clean and bandage your leg and help you put on your compression stocking.
• Once you change and check out, you can return to most normal activities right away.

Although rare, the primary side effect is an allergy to the medication used (sclerosant or anesthesia). Immediately following the procedure, you may experience the following:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Discomfort and rash from the compression stocking

In order to ensure a smooth recovery, you will be given take home instructions which will outline what you can expect, what to do, as well as what not to do. Examples are below but these may differ based on your vein size, history, and provider preference.