What to Expect After Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is one of the most common vein treatment options, used to treat many types of varicose veins as well as spider veins. The goal of sclerotherapy is essentially the same as laser vein treatment: To use a minimally-invasive technique to cause the diseased varicose vein to collapse, shutting it off to the flow of blood so blood can be rerouted to neighboring healthy veins, eliminating symptoms and improving circulation in the area. But while laser vein treatment uses the focused, intense heat of lasers to close off varicose veins, sclerotherapy uses injections of special chemicals that irritate the vessel lining, causing them to close.

If you’re scheduled for sclerotherapy or if you’re simply considering the technique for treatment of your varicose veins, you’re probably wondering what the recovery process is like. Here’s what you should know.

Sclerotherapy Recovery

One of the benefits of sclerotherapy is that there’s no downtime. You’ll be able to go home the same day and resume many of your regular activities – with a few exceptions. As with other varicose vein treatments, you’ll need to avoid strenuous activity like heavy lifting for a week or two to avoid placing excess pressure on your veins while they heal and adjust.

That doesn’t mean you should avoid all physical activity, though. In fact, patients who undergo sclerotherapy are encouraged to walk and remain moderately active to promote circulation and healing in the area. Most patients benefit from at least 30 minutes of walking each day, which can be broken up into shorter periods of time.

Following your surgery, a compression bandage will be placed over your incisions. The bandage should stay on for the first 24 hours. After that, you’ll wear compression socks or stockings during your recovery. These socks or stocking provide support to your veins to help “speed up” the healing process. Plus, they help decrease swelling or bruising in the area. You can also decrease swelling by keeping your legs elevated as much as possible – even while you’re working or sleeping.

Less commonly, you might experience some itching in the area as it heals. All these side effects – itching, bruising and swelling – will resolve within a  week or two of your treatment. If you notice clotting or pain in the injection sites, call the office right away so we can provide appropriate care.

Is sclerotherapy right for you?

As a top-ranked Las Vegas vein treatment center, the Desert Vein Institute offers the most advanced vein treatment options, including sclerotherapy treatments with minimal downtime and optimal results. If you have varicose veins or spider veins, don’t ignore them; they could be a sign of a more serious health problem. Call the Desert Vein Institute at 702-726-9709 and schedule your vein evaluation and consultation today.