Sclerotherapy for The Treatment of Spider Veins

By one of Chicago’s top vein doctors: vascular surgeon, John Golan, MD

Sclerotherapy has been the standard of care for the treatment of spider veins (and small varicose veins) for many years. Sclerotherapy involves injecting a “sclerosing” solution into the affected vessel. The solution causes an inflammation in the lining of the vessel, which swells and eventually closes the vein.

Sotradecol® is the only medication currently approved by the FDA for treating spider veins and is the only medication used at North Shore Vascular. The procedure is done in-office and requires no anesthesia. Typically, patients experience very little if any discomfort.

After treatment, the leg(s) should be elevated for a few hours and compression stockings worn for several days. There is almost no disruption of daily routines following sclerotherapy. Response to sclerotherapy varies from patient to patient and is dependent on the severity of the spider veins or varicosities. Treatment usually takes several sessions of sclerotherapy, and results are not immediate. Generally, it takes 4-8 weeks for the veins to disappear with optimal results appearing in 4-6 months. Also note, that although some medical insurance policies cover sclerotherapy, it is usually deemed a “ cosmetic” procedure that is not covered.

Dr. Golan has supervised or performed over 10,000 sclerotherapy procedures over his 26 year career as a vascular surgeon in the Chicago area. Unlike most other physicians who perform vein surgeries, Dr. Golan is also skilled at tumescent and ultrasound guided sclerotherapy.

Why choose Dr. Golan for your spider veins procedure? Here’s why.

Please contact North Shore Vascular if you have any questions about sclerotherapy or other vein procedures or would like to schedule an appointment.