Sclerotherapy - Cost, benefits and Treatment using Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is also known as phototherapy or proliferative therapy. Sclerotherapy, a ligament reconstruction therapy, and fibro-osseous injection therapy, is a recognized orthopedic procedure that stimulates the body's natural healing processes to strengthen joints weakened by traumatic or over-use injury. When the ligaments or tendon attachments are stretched the joints are torn, or fragmented. They become hypermobile and painful. Traditional approaches with surgery and anti-inflammatory drugs often fail to stabilized the joint and relieve this pain permanently. Sclerotherapy can also be used to treat varicose veins, spider veins, hemorrhoids, other vascular abnormalities and other similar conditions. Sclerotherapy with its unique ability to directly address the cause of the instability, repairs the weakened sites and produce new fibrous tissues resulting in permanent stabilization of the joint.

How many sclerotherapy treatments and/or laser treatments are necessary?

People usually have a mixture of diseased veins and each type of vein requires different treatment. Regardless of the type of treatments needed, the number of treatment sessions varies depending upon the extent of vein disease, patient compliance with the post-treatment instructions and types of veins present. Spider veins usually require three to five treatments, larger reticular veins more, and large varicose veins even more.  Improvement will be noticed after every treatment and most people notice a fairly good degree of improvement after just three to four treatments.

Will I get new varicose veins?

Sclerotherapy is not only artificial maintenance but it also improves circulation, resulting in significant symptomatic relief. Effectively treated varicose veins should not grow back. However, there are patients for whom varicose veins are a recurring problem. We can not alter the causes. There is no avoiding heredity and aging. However, eliminating varicosities actually improves blood flow.

Does sclerotherapy hurt?

Sclerotherapy treatment is not painful but individual injections can cause a slight burning sensation, similar to an insect bite, lasting a few seconds. Sclerotherapy is performed on an outpatient basis, hence no anesthesia is used. The treatment usually takes 20 minutes to half an hour.

Is sclerotherapy expensive?

Your actual cost will depend upon the number of treatments required and what type(s) of treatment needed.  Many people are surprised just how inexpensive sclerotherapy and laser treatment is, especially if they have had other cosmetic procedures performed.  An actual cost estimate will be presented to you at your first visit.

Benefits of Sclerotherapy

There is no downtime. Patients can immediately resume work and all normal activities. But the patient is advised to refrain from vigorous activities for the next 24 hours after surgery. There is little, if any, discomfort. It is a safe, time-proven procedure.

Patients are advised to take a brisk 15 to 20 minute walk immediately following sclerotherapy, and usually the patient can go right back to work with no interruption of their daily activity schedule.