Sclerotherapy uses the injection of a chemical sclerosant into a varicose vein to damage and scar the inside lining of the vein causing it to close. During the procedure, the affected leg is elevated to drain blood, and the sclerosant is injected into the varicose vein. The procedure takes 5 to 30 minutes, depending on how many veins are treated and how big they are. After the injection, pressure is applied over the veins to prevent blood return when you stand up. You may need to wear compression stockings or elastic bandages for several days to maintain pressure.
Sclerotherapy is used to treat:
- Spider veins and small veins that are not causing more serious problems
- Smaller varicose veins that come back after vein-stripping surgery
- Larger varicose veins, when minimally invasive techniques are used