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Varicose veins are dilated blood vessels that have a red or bluish color. Most varicose veins are usually larger than 1/8" in diameter, are often raised and sometimes painful. These unwanted veins appear mostly on the legs; however, they can appear elsewhere on the body. Genetics and continued or prolonged standing can all attribute to varicose vein development.

Sclerotherapy, also known as leg vein injections, is a treatment performed by our Registered Nurse. By using a small needle to inject a saline solution directly into the blood vessel our nurse can make once very noticeable veins hardly detectable. The solution that is injected causes irritation in the lining of the vessel; this irritation causes the blood to clot and over a period of a few weeks the vessel turns into scar tissue and gently fades away. Most patients can expect a 50% to 90% improvement in the reduction of varicose veins, however more than one treatment may be needed for optimal results.

What to expect:

Alpine's Registered Nurse will start out by asking you a series of questions and examining the area you wish to be treated. Depending on the amount you wish to have removed and the placement, she will be able to give you an estimate on how many treatments will be needed to successfully remove the veins. Some veins may be too small for treatment or may be too large to respond well to sclerotherapy. Most patients obtain the best results when they combine the treatments available to attack all of the unwanted veins.

Treatment times vary per patient; the average amount of time needed for sclerotherapy is 15 to 30 minute treatments. Patients may feel some mild discomfort. Compression stockings will be worn immediately following treatment and must provide continued compression for 3 full days following treatment.

Our nurse will be able to let you know if you are a good candidate for sclerotherapy treatment.