Varicose and Spider Vein Treatment

by Stephen Weinman, MD

Varicose veins are usually genetic. They develop because of two principle reasons. The first is that the wall of the vein becomes weak, and the vein dilates. The second is that valves in the veins which allow blood to flow in one direction only may not work properly causing the blood to flow in a reverse direction from the top of the leg down to the foot. There are so many healthy veins in a persons legs that enough blood flows back to the heart despite the presence of varicose veins.

When there is enough blood flowing in the wrong direction form above downward, the venous pressure in the leg becomes higher and higher causing the leg to swell, furthering the development of more varicose veins and sometimes leading to ulcers and other problems associated with the high venous pressure.

By eliminating varicose veins, we allow the healthy veins to work better. Picture three horses pulling a wagon, one pulls one direction and two horses pulling it the other. If you get rid of the one horse that is pulling in the wrong direction, the two other horses can function more efficiently. The same thing is true when we get rid of varicose veins. The healthy veins work better when the abnormal vein is eliminated.

If there are small varicose veins or spider veins, all that is necessary is injection of a dilute solution of saline, or salt water. Initially when the vein is injected, it looks as if the vein completely disappears. However, in a very short period of time, blood returns to the vein, and the vein simply looks bruised. Gradually over a period of several weeks it will disappear.

If a patient has large, bulging veins, a stronger solution of Sotradecol is injected accompanied by firm compression with a bandage and elastic stockings. Stockings are worn for 2-3 weeks after injection for the best result. For this reason, most clients elect to begin treatments in the fall and winter, as the stockings are usually too hot to wear in the warm weather. In some instances it is necessary to strip (remove) and/or ligate (tie off) certain veins which are abnormal.

At our office we can advise clients on the best course of therapy for their particular problem.

Most people require 1-5 injections to eliminate all but the most severe cases of varicosities. The injections are done with tiny needles are usually tolerated well. For those clients with above average sensitivity to pain nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is available to make the treatments more comfortable.