Foam sclerotherapy

Because the foam essentially acts to destroy the inside of the vein so that the vein is reabsorbed by the body, it typically takes a while for this to happen. Initially the treated veins will be hard and lumpy and it usually takes 2-3 months to see the full results.

Additional sessions may be needed for optimal results, especially if multiple or large veins are treated. Most patients will need between 1 and 3 sessions of foam injection, depending on their circumstances.

The risks associated with small amounts of foam injection are low and the procedure is characterised by a high degree of safety. Some bruising, localised lumpiness and tenderness are to be expected following the treatment. Significant inflammation of the blood vessels (thrombophlebitis) occurs in 5% of patients. Permanent marking of skin (usually a bluish or reddish patch at the site of injection can affect between 10-30% of patients. An area of superficial skin necrosis (skin ulcer) can occurs rarely. There is also a very small risk of stroke (1 in 10,000 patients) if you happen to have an undiagnosed hole in the heart. Very rarely, it’s possible to have a serious allergic reaction to the foam. Deep vein thrombosis affects approximately 1 in 100 (1%) patients. This requires immediate medical attention to prevent it from progressing to a pulmonary embolism.

As always, the key to achieving the best outcome is to ensure you are treated by a fully qualified and experienced vascular surgery specialist. Make sure you feel you have a relationship you can trust with your doctor and follow their guidance on the best treatment options for you, including all of their aftercare instructions.

The risk of recurrence is around 20% following foam sclerotherapy. It is also possible to develop new varicose veins after the initial treatment, so it’s sometimes necessary to repeat the treatment.