Spider Vein Sclerotherapy

    

     Spider veins are small varicose veins usually less than 1/16th inch in diameter usually located on the legs.  Generally they are asymptomatic but occasionally associated with mild discomfort as well.  They vary from small and pink to large and dark blue.  Spider veins are only visible because they contain blood, since the veins themselves are the same color as the surrounding tissue.  Therefore treatment consists of closing the veins so they no longer contain blood.

 

Sclerotherapy is considered the best treatment by vein specialists, because it gives good results 80% of the time.  Laser treatment of spiders is widely advertised, but is painful, expensive and works only about 30% of the time.  For this reason, we do not offer external laser vein treatment.

 

     Sclerotherapy consists of injecting veins with solutions of varying concentrations which damage the vein and cause it to turn into invisible scar tissue.  We use sodium tetradecol sulfate(STS) at low concentrations or 72% glycerin for smaller veins  and STS in higher concentrations for larger veins.

 

     Treatment  can take as little as one treatment session in minor cases and can take 5 or more sessions for severe cases.   Usually 80% or better improvement can be achieved.

 

     Discomfort is minimal as Dr. Anderson does not use the traditional hypertonic saline which can be very painful to some individuals.  Sclerotherapy of spider veins is quite safe although there are rare allergic reactions.  

Columbia Vein Center

320 Harbison Boulevard, Suite 200

Columbia, SC  29212

Across from the entrance to Columbiana Mall

To contact us:

Phone: 803-732-2554

Fax: 803-753-9257

email: drandersonmd@earthlink.net