Microsclerotherapy

To get the best results from treatment it is very important to have a proper assessment of the whole vein system in the leg to see if there is any connection between the superficial thread veins and the deeper veins. This is very important, because if there is a connection which is not treated, then back flow and high pressure will work against the treatment, making it less effective. At The Melbury Vein Clinic , we specialise in the treatment of varicose veins and thread veins on the legs and an ultrasound examination of the whole vein system is part of the consultation. Recent research has shown that nearly all thread veins have a "feeder" vein nearby that also needs treatment. These veins are called reticular veins. As part of the consultation and examination, a careful search is made for these reticular veins.

After treating any underlying varicose veins or superficial venous reflux, an injection technique called "Microsclerotherapy" is used to treat the thread veins directly. A non-toxic chemical is injected through a very fine needle directly into the vein. This irritates the lining of the vein causing the walls to stick together and prevent blood flowing through the vessel. Over a period of time the blood vessel is gradually absorbed by the body and disappears. After 3 or 4 treatments an 80-90% improvement can be expected.

The "feeding" reticular veins can be several centimetres away from the thread veins and they are usually invisible. We use the Veinlite TM  system to identify the reticular veins for treatment. A high-energy halogen light beam is focused into the deeper part of the skin and the feeder veins can then be seen and injected.