Foam and micro injection of varicose and flare veins

Varicose veins and flare (spider) veins can be treated by sclerotherapy (i.e. injections).  There are two main techniques, foam sclerotherapy and micro-sclerotherapy, but the basic principle is the same.  The sclerosant is injected into the abnormal vein, then the leg and vein are compressed to squash the blood out of the vein.  The vein walls then stick together and the vein disappears as it is absorbed.

Foam sclerotherapy is used to treat larger veins.  Micro-sclerotherapy may be performed under bright light and low magnification to treat spider and flare veins.

Injections may either be performed under direct vision, or by using high-resolution duplex ultrasound to locate and inject the underlying feeding vein.  This is expecially effective for treating large areas of unsightly flare veins.

Thread veins are desribed in more detail in their section of the website (please see Conditions Treated, Prevented and Cured).