VARICOSE VEINS ARE COMMON

Sclerotherapy

About 60% of people will have a problem with their leg veins in their lives. Up to 80% of patients may feel heaviness, fatigue, and aching, and many are embarrassed to expose their legs because of visible varicose veins.

Varicose veins are damaged superficial veins that appear as tortuous, bluish,dilated veins. These veins are more apparent in some patients compared to others. They occur as a result of valves failing to act competently allowing for blood to flow backwards instead of returning upwards towards the heart. The end result is congestion and higher pressure in the lower leg and what is termed chronic venous insufficiency. Varicose veins can appear as small caliber (spider veins) or larger more tortuous visible varicose veins. Regardless, the deep veins are well maintained unaffected and are almost entirely responsible for the venous circulation.

The main contributing factors :

  • Family history
  • Multiple pregnancies
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Obesity
  • Hormonal factors
  • Localized traum

As seen on the right side of the diagram, damaged valves result in blood flow returning backwards and leading to congestion of the vein.

In the past, many patients have been treated with surgical stripping of their largest superficial veins in an attempt to "fix" the problem. Although surgical treatment remains an option, other less viable options which are much less invasive will be discussed. Among these alternative options include endovenous ablative treatments and sclerotherapy.

Sclerotherapy is highly effective and has been used for decades all over the world to treat most veins (spider veins to larger varicose veins). In the majority of cases, it is superior to energy-based treatments, like IPL and laser, with less pain and cost associated with it –yet more impressive results.

During your first visit you’ll be given a questionnaire to help us know you better. Your leg veins will be assessed and an ultrasound examination will allow us to understand the areas that we need to focus on. Then we will discuss treatment options with you and give you all the right information. Educating our patients from the outset is a key focus. Our focus and our passion are about creating the best results for you so that you feel better and look better. We want your experience to be the best possible: informative, efficient, comfortable and highly effective.

Sclerotherapy of varicose veins

Sclerotherapy results in “closing” the diseased varicose vein, removing it from the venous circulation and favoring the remaining normal veins to take over and leading to congestion AND TORTUOSITY of the vein. Sclerotherapy closes the vein by creating an inflammatory reaction in the vein wall that results in contraction, fibrosis and eventual closure of the vein. This process starts immediately after the treatment but continues over the ensuing weeks and months

Before and After

TREATMENT
  • Sessions: 20-30 minutes
  • Number of sessions: Usually 2-7
  • Effect: Progressive and significant over weeks and months
  • All veins are treatable (from spider veins to larger tortuous veins)
  • Echo guided approach allows for larger veins to be effectively treated
  • Tolerable: With our most planned out, gentle and meticulous treatments, the vast majority of our patientsfind the procedure quite feasible and much easier to undergo than they originally thought
SIDE EFFECTS

We will discuss these in detail at your first visit. Some common ones are:

  • Bruising
  • Discomfort
  • Temporary faint staining of skin
  • Trapped coagulum, which can be easily removed on subsequent visits
PREGNANCY & BREASTFEEDING
  • We advise pregnant patients NOT to have treatment.
  • We recommend to wait until breastfeeding is done.
MORE ABOUT SCLEROTHERAPY

Sclerotherapy works by creating a controlled reaction inside the vein using a medication or sclerosant to ‘sclerose’ or close the vein. Treatment usually goes from top to bottom, and from the bigger to smaller veins. This progressive approach optimises results. Compression therapymay also be helpful to enhance effectiveness and comfort, and diminish the potential side effects.

Varicose Veins Treatment

TO MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICES .... PLAN YOUR VISIT WITH A SPECIALIST

During your first appointment, Dr. Rowen will perform a medical assessment, a complete examination and an ultrasound of your legs. This is followed by an in-depth discussion to introduce you to the different treatment options. Allow between 45 and 60 minutes on your first visit. All evaluations and treatments are provided by Dr. Rowen.

A deposit of $ 60 is required to confirm your first appointment. The deposit will be deducted from the amount of your first visit.

For more information on our treatments and rates* call us at 514-342-8346 (Montreal) or 450-939-4817 (Rosemere) we will be happy to answer your questions.

* The treatment of varicose veins is not an act covered by the Quebec Health Insurance Card (Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec)

PUT YOUR LEGS IN GOOD HANDS

There's no better way to know what's best for you. We have all the right information for you to make the right choices.

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