By the time that you have reached out to a vein doctor for the snaky, ropey veins crawling up your leg, you have suffered for a while. A lot of patients put off treatment thinking that maybe home remedies or creams will take care of the pain and heavy feeling in their legs. Some put off treatment because they are nervous about the procedure called Sclerotherapy, which is an effective way to treat varicose veins.

The unknown can be scary, especially when it comes to medical treatments. Will it hurt? Do I have to go under anesthesia? How long will I be out of commission for recovery? Do I have to stay in a hospital? Will insurance cover it? And so many other questions. We have the answers here!

• Sclerotherapy is a simple procedure that can be performed in your doctor’s office. A foam saline solution is injected into the diseased vein, causing it to clot and shut down. Your blood is then forced to find other healthier veins to flow through. Eventually, the treated vein is absorbed by the body.

• The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and does not take very long. You might feel minor pressure, but rarely any pain.

• The recovery time is quick. Most patients can resume their normal activities that same day. Of course, extreme activities that put a lot of pressure on the legs should be avoided for that day. You doctor might recommend compression stockings to help support the veins after the procedure and advise to elevate the leg the remainder of the day. But, overall, the recovery time is minimal.

• Most insurance companies will cover the cost of sclerotherapy since it is treating varicose veins, a painful medical condition. Check with your insurance agency to confirm.

• The treated vein will fade within weeks of the sclerotherapy procedure. Some cases might take a month or so for visibility to disappear. It is on a case by case basis.

You shouldn’t have to suffer from the pain, heaviness, and appearance of varicose veins. Here at Tampa Cardiovascular Associates, we are experts in vein care. Sclerotherapy is one treatment out of many that we can discuss with you during your consultation. Call us today to begin the path to wellness at 813-975-2800 or schedule an appointment through our online form here.