Treatment of Large and Bulging Varicose Veins

Laser ablation or RF ablation followed by foam sclerotherapy are very successful in the treatment of large and bulging varicose veins. Some patients, and unfortunately some physicians, believe that patients with very advanced varicose veins will not benefit from non-surgical varicose vein treatment. This is a very misconception. In fact, laser ablation and RF ablation are treatment methods used specifically for large and advanced varicose veins. Even the most severe varicose veins with varicose vein ulcers can be treated with non-surgical methods. Foam sclerotherapy is also used as a complement to these treatments. This treatment is commonly known as foam therapy or needle therapy.

Foam sclerotherapy is often used as a complementary treatment to laser or RF ablation treatments. It is used to treat varicose veins that do not resolve spontaneously after treatment of large and damaged veins. The treatment choice is based on the diameter of the varicose veins; either foam sclerotherapy or liquid sclerotherapy is applied. Foam sclerotherapy, used for medium and large varicose veins, involves mixing the sclerosing medication with air to form a foam and injecting it intravenously.

Because the foam mixes less with blood, it is more effective than liquid sclerotherapy. Furthermore, by positioning the leg, the foam can be directed to the desired vein, which can be visualized with an ultrasound. Because of its greater effectiveness, foam sclerotherapy can successfully treat even very large varicose veins. The sclerotherapy procedure is practical and painless, but it can take several months for varicose vein scars to completely disappear.