Sclerotherapy For Threadveins
Overview
Injection sclerotherapy is the treatment for thread veins (spider veins) on the legs that has the best long-term cosmetic results.
It is suitable for most people providing that they do not have an underlying abnormality of the veins (e.g. varicose veins) unless that abnormality has already been treated. The treatment should not be used in pregnancy.
Injection sclerotherapy cannot be used to treat thread veins in other parts of the body than the legs.
If you are considering the treatment we will check that it is suitable for you at an assessment appointment.
Assessment appointment
Prior to treatment with injection sclerotherapy we conduct a full assessment to ensure that it is the appropriate treatment for you. This includes a detailed vascular examination and Doppler assessment of your leg veins. (Doppler is a special investigation where sound waves are used to check the veins under the skin that are not visible).
The treatment
A sclerosant is injected directly into the thread veins using an ultra fine needle. The sclerosant causes the thread veins to collapse and their walls stick together. Surprisingly it is usually not painful as the substance injected has local anaesthetic properties.
The treatment typically takes about 30 minutes depending on the extent of your thread veins. It is not always possible to treat all the veins in 1 session as there is a maximum amount of sclerosant that can be given at any one time.
All treatments are performed by Dr Graham Barter, a GP who is has many years of experience of vascular assessment. He has trained in sclerotherapy with some of the leading vascular surgeons in the country.
Afterwards
The success of the treatment depends on keeping pressure on the treated veins to ensure they disappear. Dressing will be applied at the time of the treatment that will need to remain in place for 24 hours. You will also need to wear compression stockings, night and day for two weeks (these will be fitted at the assessment appointment).
It can take up to three months to achieve the full cosmetic benefit and further treatments for remaining veins should not be given until then.
Costs
Assessment appointment (including Doppler examination) |
£60 |
Treatment (excluding cost of pressure stockings) |
£250 |
