What is Foam Sclerotherapy and how does it differ from the Sclerotherapy we have talked about previously? This post will answer those questions and help shed light on vein treatment options available for you at the Vein Institute of New Jersey.
Sclerotherapy, as we know, effectively treats varicose and spider veins. It’s often considered the treatment of choice for small varicose veins. But for larger areas, Foam Sclerotherapy may be an effective option.
How Does Foam Sclerotherapy Work?
Instead of a liquid medication, which we use in traditional Sclerotherapy, we mix air into the same liquid formula before it is injected into the vein. The advantage is that the “bubble” of medicine that is created has a larger surface area, which makes for a better treatment for the larger and longer veins. Oftentimes, Foam Sclerotherapy is used in conjunction with Sclerotherapy, thus enabling our board certified vascular doctors to treat multiple size veins in one treatment session.
The foam works in the same manner as liquid Sclerotherapy. It causes a sclerosing effect, which irritates the lining of the vein. The body responds to this “irritation” by sending out repair cells, which cause the vein to collapse and disappear.
Post Treatment
After treatment, the legs are wrapped in ace bandages, which stay on overnight. The next morning you switch to surgical hosiery for a short period of time, just during the day. These compression bandages offer some support to the legs and many of our patients like the way they feel.
The Foam Sclerotherapy results are generally excellent. It does require some time for the healing process as the large veins tend to take a longer time to disappear than the smaller spider veins. There will be a period of bruising and some redness before the veins begin to fade away. Patients walk out of our treatment centers at the Vein Institute of New Jersey and resume all activities as before. There is no down time!
As with all vein treatments, selecting the right physician is most important. Our vascular doctors and professional medical staff will ensure that the right treatment plan will be chosen for you. And when you come to the Vein Institute of New Jersey, you know you will be coming to an organization that has over 50 years of experience and is well-versed in Foam Sclerotherapy since we perform it on a routine basis.
To learn more and consult with one of our vein treatment specialists, schedule an appointment today.