What Is Foam Treatment (Sclerotherapy)? Is It a Painful Procedure?

One of the methods we frequently use for spider veins and small- to medium-diameter superficial varicose veins is foam sclerotherapy. In this article I will explain how this method is applied and what level of pain it involves.

How Is the Method of Sealing Varicose Veins with Medication Applied?

In sclerotherapy we inject, through a very fine needle, a special liquid medicine into the problem vein that irritates the vein wall and seals it; when prepared in foam form, this medicine remains in contact with the vein surface for longer and is also effective in larger-diameter veins. After the injection the vein gradually shrinks, hardens and is reabsorbed by the body, disappearing from view.

How Many Sessions Does Foam Treatment Take?

Although it varies according to the number and extent of the veins to be treated, in most of our patients 2-4 sessions performed 2-4 weeks apart are sufficient. Each session usually takes 15-30 minutes and daily life can be resumed immediately after the procedure.

Do Varicose Veins Recur After the Procedure?

The treated vein itself does not reopen; however, if factors that predispose to venous insufficiency, such as genetic susceptibility and prolonged standing, persist, new spider veins may develop over time in a different vein. For this reason we recommend regular follow-up and, if necessary, the use of a compression stocking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is sclerotherapy painful? Apart from the sensation of the needle prick there is no marked pain; the procedure is generally well tolerated.

Does sclerotherapy also work for large varicose veins? It is effective in small- to medium-diameter veins; in insufficiency of large-diameter main veins we generally prefer laser methods such as EVLA.

When are results seen after the procedure? The fading of the treated veins usually begins within a few weeks; it may be necessary to wait 2-3 months for the full result.

Conclusion

Foam sclerotherapy is an effective, quickly applied and almost painless treatment method for spider veins and small- to medium-diameter varicose veins. Its durability depends on regular follow-up of the underlying venous structure.

You can make an appointment so that we can assess whether sclerotherapy is suitable for your spider veins or small varicose veins.

References

1. Kakkos SK, Gohel M, Baekgaard N, et al. Editor’s Choice – European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS) 2022 Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Management of Chronic Venous Disease. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2022;63(2):184-267.