SCLEROTHERAPY TREATMENT IN LEXINGTON KENTUCKY

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHICH AREAS CAN BE TREATED?

The most common areas for varicose veins to develop are on legs and feet. The affected veins may be raised, discolored, or swollen, and some are deeper under the skin and can cause discomfort. Spider veins are smaller in size, closer to the surface of the skin, and can appear red, purple, or blue. Depending on the size of the damaged veins, Sclerotherapy can be used to treat varicose and spider veins in the following areas:

• Thighs
• Calves
• Ankles
• Feet
• Hands
• Chest Area

HOW DOES SCLEROTHERAPY WORK?

Depending on the severity of the condition, sclerotherapy treatment for venous problems can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour. the treatment is usually performed while you are lying down on your back or abdomen depending on the location of the desired treatment area. Depending on how far below your skin the targeted vein is, Dr. Bacha may use an ultrasound or Vein light as part of the procedure. The procedure begins by cleaning the skin around the targeted veins. Using a fine needle, Dr. Bacha will inject the damaged vein with a sclerosing agent. The liquid or foam solution will cause the walls of the injected vein to close. Therefore, blood will redirect to unaffected veins. Over time, the body will absorb the damaged vein, making it less visible.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR SCLEROTHERAPY?

First, our patients will have a consultation with our sclerotherapy specialist in Lexington, KY, Dr. Fadi Bacha. Then, Dr. Bacha will decide if they are good candidates for sclerotherapy and go through the treatment options with them.

Dr. Bacha might recommend avoiding certain medications, such as ibuprofen and aspirin a couple of days prior to the procedure. Dr. Bacha may also recommend that patients avoid applying lotion or shaving their legs before sclerotherapy to decrease irritation. We also recommend that our patients purchase use compression stockings for at least one week after the procedure, as they help with the healing process after sclerotherapy.

ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?

Common side effects of Sclerotherapy include but not limited to light bruising, redness, and minimal itching at the injection site. Infection and Phlebitis are rare, and they are usually treated with a short course of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory. You might also notice brown discoloration around the injection site or along treated vein/veins. These are standard symptoms that will disappear quickly after the procedure is over. Some hyperpigmentation may last for a few weeks depending on skin type.

Infrequent side effects include but not limited to DVT (the formation of a blood clot away from the targeted vein), Pulmonary Embolism, or stroke.

IS SCLEROTHERAPY PAINFUL?

Due to the sodium tetradecyl solution, sclerotherapy causes no pain. However, because it’s a needle-based treatment, you might feel the pinch of a needle. You might experience mild discomfort in the injected area for up to a few minutes after the procedure. The procedure causes irritation, so this discomfort is entirely normal. ​

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER SCLEROTHERAPY?

There is little to no downtime associated with sclerotherapy. Patients will most likely be able to return to their everyday activities immediately. In the first 48 hours after sclerotherapy, Dr. Bacha, recommends wearing compression socks or stockings. Patients should only remove these to shower. After the first 48 hours, patients can wear stockings during the day and remove them at night while sleeping. Avoid sunlight, hot baths, saunas, swimming pools, and the beach during the first seven days after treatment. Patients should also stay active to reduce the chance of blood clots. However, they should avoid brisk aerobic exercises, such as running and weight lifting, for a couple of days.

DOES INSURANCE PAY FOR SCLEROTHERAPY OR VARICOSE VEINS TREATMENT?

Varicose veins are a medical condition that can have no symptoms for many years. However, when they become symptomatic, they can cause pain, discomfort, leg fatigue, cramping and other symptoms and complication. These complications can affect health, work, quality of life and interfere with adult daily living. Most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid will pay for procedures related to the treatment of symptomatic varicose veins, venous insufficiency, venous stasis ulcer, or bleeding varicose vein. They will not pay for the treatment of varicose veins that are not causing any symptoms or complications. They will also not cover the treatment for cosmetic spider veins.

Here at Lexington Veins Institute, we will explain in detail all issues related to your proposed treatment plan. Then, we will differentiate for you what is covered by your health plan and what is considered “cosmetic” treatment and help you understand your options better.