Sclerotherapy of veins in the legs - what is this procedure, the rehabilitation period, possible complications and consequences

Vascular disease is difficult to detect in the early stages. Regular pain and limitations in mobility appear gradually and reach advanced stages. In such situations, the patient will have an operation to remove the veins in the legs. A gentle method of treatment is vascular hardening, which helps to avoid the severe consequences of therapy.

Why do problems with blood vessels on the legs develop?

Daily habits that negatively affect the cardiovascular system and blood flow lead to depletion of the veins.

The causes of pathologies include several main factors:

• strong physical, and especially static loads on the lower limbs;
• sedentary lifestyle;
• bad habits;
• improper nutrition.

With physical activity, blood supply increases, and tense muscles constrict blood vessels. This creates increased pressure, in which the walls of the vessels expand to push blood through. During this process, the veins lose their elasticity and ability to function normally.

Due to dysfunction of the blood flow system, cholesterol increases, which forms plaquesblocking blood vessels and causing them to be forced to deform. The negative effect is complemented by smoking, drinking alcohol. Once in the blood, harmful substances cause it to circulate vigorously in order to quickly remove toxins.

Heredity also increases the risk of occurrence and complicates the course of diseases.

Sclerotherapy of veins of the lower extremities: the essence of the technique

Sclerotherapy is a common medicine in the treatment of vascular pathologies, which is carried out as an independent set of procedures. It can also complement medical and surgical treatments. The method does not involve surgical intervention.

It is a safe alternative to earlier approaches to curing the disease. The technique is not painful, it helps to quickly recover after therapy.

Sclerotherapy of veins in the legs is prescribed to patients with almost any form of varicose veins, hemorrhoids and as a method of preventing relapse after surgery. Sometimes sclerosis is prescribed together with medication. If the disease is at the last stage and does not respond to any treatment, the last stage is surgery.

General principles of sclerotherapy

Before prescribing sclerotherapy, the doctor diagnoses and interrogates the patient, then sends him for additional studies: ultrasound of the vessels, contrast examination, etc. After collecting and studying all the data, the specialist develops a treatment plan, determines the number of sessions and injections.

During the procedure, the doctor injects medicine with a syringe with a thin needle into the affected vein, which glues its walls. The treated areas are covered with an elastic bandage.This is necessary so that the veins remain compressed, and the blood flow does not stretch their walls even more.

Blood from diseased vessels is redirected through healthy areas. The injected drug is gradually absorbed, and the deformed elements of the venous system contract to their original size and restore elasticity.

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Why do sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy of leg veins is a young method of therapy, less radical, but also less effective analogue of surgical removal of veins.

The procedure has many advantages over a standard operation:

• safe, almost never causes side effects;
• the duration of the procedure is no more than 40 minutes;
• in the course of treatment, the vessels are not removed, but restore their functions;
• sessions are practically not accompanied by painful sensations;
• there are no visible signs of interference during the procedures;
• does not require intensive and long-term recovery;
• helps with relapses of the disease;
• eliminates the side effects caused by surgery.

The main advantage of sclerotherapy is a short and almost asymptomatic rehabilitation. The patient does not need to stay in the hospital room during the entire course of treatment.

Indications for sclerotherapy

There is no complete list of indications for the procedure.

Doctors prescribe sclerotherapy based on practice, they are guided by the main list of pathologies:

• vascular network - early manifestation of varicose veins;
• superficial capillary stars, which are a consequence of hormone imbalance;
• varicose veins and hemorrhoids at all stages, but with different treatment plans;
• vascular neoplasms.

Sclerotherapy is prescribed only after thorough research with the permission of a phlebologist.

Contraindications to sclerotherapy

The operation is prescribed based on the absence of any contraindications from the list.

The primary reasons for refusal in the procedure are chronic diseases, as well as the patient's condition at the moment:

• detonation period, lactation;
• severe heart failure;
• heart defects;
• atherosclerosis (blockage of arteries with plaque of cholesterol);
• thrombophlebitis (blockage of the arteries with blood clots - thrombi);
• thrombosis at the time of surgery and even several years before it;
• inflammatory skin diseases;
• allergy to drugs for the procedure.

Contraindications may include taking certain medications. The doctor takes into account the illness for the last year.

Preparing for surgery

Sclerotherapy of veins in the legs requires adherence to a few simple rules for preparing for sessions. Before the appointment of the operation, you should inform the doctor about the drugs taken so that he can determine which of them should not be taken at the time of treatment and rehabilitation.

Of the prohibited means:

• hormonal;
• anti-inflammatory;
• venotonic;
• medicines for the treatment of the cardiovascular system.

Other restrictions apply to all patients:

• 2-3 days before sclerosis, you should stop smoking, drinking alcohol.
• You need to take food no later than 2-3 hours before sclerotherapy.
• You should wash your feet before the procedure.
• You need to purchase compression underwear, elastic bandage in advance. It is better to come to the procedure in tight clothes for better fixation of the bandage.
• You can not carry out any cosmetic procedures before and between sessions. This includes the use of scrubs, masks, creams, and all types of hair removal. If you are allergic to hygiene products, hardening is not performed.

At the end of the operation, the patient puts on a compression garment and goes for a walk. No hospital stay is required.

Sclerotherapy preparations

The drugs used for sclerosis are divided into 3 categories.

1. Detergents - surfactants. They are sodium tetradecyl sulfate, Trombovar, Sotradekol, Polidocanol and Fibro-Wayne. As a result of their use, the protein coagulates, forming a clot in the hole, which leads to gluing of the walls of blood vessels and veins.
2. Hyperosmotic drugs... This includes 40% sodium salicitate and sodium chloride 10-24%. The effect of their introduction is due to the dehydration of the endothelium.
3. Corrosive preparations. Used varicocide (solution), variglobin, Shotin iodide solution, "Ethoxysclerol". These substances provide one-sided deformation of the walls with the appearance of blood clots.

These funds are highly effective and absolutely safe for the body, with the exception of possible intolerance to a particular type of drug. Detergents are suitable for removing large veins, while corrosive agents are suitable for small vessels.

Sclerotherapy technique

Sclerotherapy is performed in a sterile room under local anesthesia. During the session, anesthetics are injected into the veins in the legs. By cooling the treated area, the sensitivity of the tissues and the likelihood of traces of intervention (wounds and hematomas) are reduced.

The procedure consists of the following steps:

1. Using a short, thin needle of a syringe, a puncture is made into the desired area. The small size of the needle prevents bleeding. To accurately administer the drug, an ultrasound scan of the veins is performed in parallel.
2. A sclerosing agent is introduced. The dosage is determined individually, depending on the stage of the disease, the localization of the vessel and the area of ​​the lesion.
3. When the specialist is sure that the drug has begun to work, an elastic bandage or compression garment is applied. You need to wear it 2 days after the session.

At the end of the procedure, the patient needs to walk for an hour under the supervision of a health worker.

Mini sclerotherapy of spider veins

This sclerosis technique is used on parts of the body located below the level of the heart. It is used to remove neoplasms that reach a diameter of no more than 2 mm. Sclerotherapy sessions are more likely to be a cosmetic procedure and are performed by their aesthetic phlebologist.

The indications for the sessions are spider veins of various sizes and locations.

The medicine is injected into the lumen of the vessel with a needle or a catheter. The thin blade of the instrument, no more than the capillary diameter, allows working with microscopic elements of the venous system. The doctor can conduct a session using equipment that increases the treatment area.

Foam sclerotherapy

This type of intervention is used to treat large saphenous veins with advanced stages of varicose veins. Foam sclerotherapy is used in cases where it is impossible to perform sclerotherapy with the introduction of soluble drugs due to the high likelihood of thrombosis.

In this situation, the injectable product is fine foam. The replacement is due to the fact that the injected drug does not mix with the blood, but pushes it out. Therefore, foam sclerotherapy prevents blood clots from forming. This method is superior to others in efficiency, and doctors evaluate the result as instant.

Echosclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is performed with drugs from the group of sclerosants. They glue the walls of the arteries, completely blocking their lumens. In the course of such manipulations, the vein turns into a connected cord, the drug in which dissolves up to six months and is excreted naturally. The procedure is accompanied by an examination of the vessels with an ultrasound preparation.

The protocol for the echosclerosis procedure is slightly different from other types. It is tuned to work with deeply hidden veins that are inaccessible to visual inspection.Also, a special ultrasound control is used to work with a fine vascular mesh, but a more accurate apparatus with multiple magnification is used.

Recovery period: terms, rules

The main aspect of successful rehabilitation after sclerotherapy is compliance with all the rules of the recovery period.

• After the procedure, you need to walk for the first half hour. The walk is carried out under the supervision of a doctor.
• During the course of treatment, you need to play sports. For this, physical activity in the form of walking 3-4 km per day is enough.
• Recurrent headaches should be relieved by taking only medication prescribed by your doctor.
• A week later, you need to come for the first examination. Scheduled visits to the doctor are made every 2 weeks, but the frequency of visits can also be previously agreed upon.
• Compression clothing should be worn for the first 14 days of rehabilitation. An elastic bandage is required on the first day after the session.

It is important to focus on your own feelings. Pain and swelling are the reason for an unscheduled visit to a medical facility. Failure to provide measures in case of side effects of treatment will lead to their aggravation.

Restrictions after surgery

Veins on the legs show through most often. In order for the sclerotherapy of veins to have a result, the maximum aesthetic effect was observed, for some time you need to limit yourself to some actions.

It is impossible during the recovery period:

• For about 3 weeks, it is forbidden to take a hot bath and go to the sauna, sunbathe.
• You cannot fly in airplanes.
• You should limit mobility to the norms recommended by your doctor and avoid strenuous physical activity.
• Do not apply heparin ointments to vein correction sites.
• It is forbidden to repeat the procedure earlier than 1-2 weeks.
• The skin color will first change to yellow. This is the limit of the norm and does not serve as a reason to go to the doctor.
• Do not wear compression clothing while sleeping.

It is important to understand in advance the level of load available after the procedure. Sclerotherapy does not require bed rest, but not all types of exercise are acceptable.

Adverse reactions, complications

The risks of complications after surgery are low, but they increase with improper preparation for sessions and non-compliance with the rules for its implementation.

• Hyperpigmentation - the appearance of brown spots at the injection site. May occur from a certain injection drug. Often, this phenomenon is short-lived and disappears on its own. Otherwise, use a Q-switched laser to remove pigment.
• Edema - can develop during the first day. Passes by itself.
• Pain. During the procedure, special cooling agents are used for anesthesia.
• Redness. Lasts for half an hour. If itching occurs, a corticosteroid ointment is used.
• Relapse. Arises from many factors. An integrated approach to treatment or the use of other methods of therapy is required.

Sclerotherapy can be accompanied by the following complications:

• necrosis;
• superficial thrombophlebitis;
• allergic reaction.

These pathologies can be a consequence of both incorrect diagnostics, treatment and non-compliance with the rules of preparation and rehabilitation.

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Operation prices in Moscow, St. Petersburg and regions

Prices for sclerotherapy may vary depending on the venue.

In addition to the average prices, you need to focus on the choice of clinic. In different institutions, the prices for consultations and therapy may vary depending on the neglect of the disease.

Patient reviews, before and after results

The experience from the use of sclerotherapy for each patient is purely individual. Of the negative reviews, complaints about recurrence of pathology in other places, allergy to substances injected into the vein prevail.

Advantages of the technique:

• painlessness;
• short duration of sessions;
• lack of external consequences after a course of treatment.

Sclerotherapy of veins in the legs is a procedure that requires a strict approach to the diagnosis of the disease. In the process of preparation, conduct and rehabilitation, it is necessary to strictly follow all the rules. For sclerotherapy to give a positive result, you must carefully choose a specialist.

Article design: Mila Friedan

Video about sclerotherapy of veins in the legs

Treatment of varicose veins without surgery: