WHAT ARE SPIDER VEINS?

Spider veins are the thin, crooked veins that are just under the skin’s surface and can be red, blue or purple. Typically they are seen around the ankles, on the calves, behind the knees, and on the thighs. They have a diameter of 1 to 3 mm. 

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Spider veins in addition to being unsightly can cause pain in the legs. Although this may be surprising, since they are so small. Painful spider veins are more common than people might think.

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Spider veins can be quickly treated using Sclerotherapy Injections.  We use Asclera which is less painful and has a higher efficacy in removing the veins than hypertonic saline.  The diameter of the veins we treat with Asclera are 1 to 3 mm.  Veins larger than 3mm are called varicose veins and should be treated by a vascular surgeon and usually involve surgery.

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WHAT IS SCLEROTHERAPY? 

Sclerotherapy is a “non-surgical” method for the treatment of unwanted leg veins. Using a very fine needle, the physician injects a solution “sclerosing agent” into the veins that causes them to contract and eventually disappear. The injected veins become inflamed, blood is then unable to flow through them and ultimately, the body absorbs these non-functioning vessels.  

 

DOES SCLEROTHERAPY WORK FOR EVERYONE? 

The majority of persons who have Sclerotherapy will see good improvement.

The number of treatments needed to clear or improve the condition differs from patient to patient depending on the extents of varicose and spider veins present. Six (6) or more treatments may be needed. The average is three treatments. However, there is no guarantee that multiple treatments will clear all veins. While Sclerotherapy is a safe and highly effective, more than one treatment is usually required to clear or improve unsightly veins to a patient’s satisfaction. 

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