Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy: A Precise Treatment for Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are a common source of leg pain, heaviness, and swelling for millions of people. While many varicose veins are visible on the surface, others are hidden deeper under the skin and cannot be treated effectively with traditional cosmetic sclerotherapy. That’s where ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy comes in.

At Sheen Vein (Aesthetics and Functional Medicine) in St. Louis, we use ultrasound guidance to treat problematic veins with precision, ensuring long-lasting relief and healthier circulation.

What Is Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is a vein treatment that involves injecting a medical solution (called a sclerosant) into diseased veins, causing them to close and gradually fade. While cosmetic sclerotherapy is often used for visible spider veins, ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy targets deeper, hidden varicose veins.

By using real-time ultrasound imaging, your physician can:

Locate diseased veins not visible at the surface.
Guide the injection needle with accuracy.
Monitor the treatment process to ensure safety and effectiveness.

This allows us to treat the root cause of venous insufficiency, not just the surface appearance.

How Does the Procedure Work?

The process is simple and performed right in our office:

Ultrasound Mapping: We begin by using ultrasound to locate the diseased veins and plan treatment.
Local Preparation: The skin is cleaned, and a tiny needle is positioned into the vein with ultrasound guidance.
Sclerosant Injection: A specialized solution (often a foam formulation) is injected into the vein, irritating the vein wall and causing it to collapse.
Blood Rerouting: Once closed, the diseased vein no longer holds blood. Instead, blood is rerouted into healthier surrounding veins.
Absorption: Over time, the treated vein is absorbed naturally by the body.

The procedure usually takes less than an hour and requires no surgical incisions.

Benefits of Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy

This advanced approach offers several key advantages:

High precision: Ultrasound ensures accurate targeting of problematic veins.
Effective relief: Treats not only visible veins but also deeper veins that cause symptoms.
Minimally invasive: No surgery, stitches, or hospital stay required.
Quick recovery: Most patients return to normal activities the same or next day.
Symptom relief: Reduces pain, heaviness, swelling, and cramping.
Improved appearance: Helps eliminate visible bulging or surface veins over time.

Who Is a Candidate?

Ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy is recommended for patients with chronic venous insufficiency or deeper varicose veins that cannot be managed with surface treatments alone.

You may be a good candidate if you experience:

Bulging or twisted veins
Heaviness or aching in the legs
Swelling in the ankles or calves
Restless legs or night cramps
Skin changes, such as discoloration or thickening

During your consultation, we perform a venous ultrasound to determine whether ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy or another treatment—such as Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT)—is best for you.

What to Expect After Treatment

Recovery is generally quick and comfortable:

You may experience mild soreness or bruising at the injection site.
Compression stockings are recommended for 1–2 weeks to support circulation.
Normal activities can be resumed right away, though we advise avoiding strenuous exercise for a few days.
Follow-up ultrasounds ensure successful vein closure and healthy circulation.

Patients often notice improvement in their symptoms within weeks, with cosmetic results improving gradually as the treated veins fade.

Ultrasound-Guided vs. Cosmetic Sclerotherapy

It’s important to distinguish ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy from the cosmetic sclerotherapy often used for spider veins:

Cosmetic sclerotherapy: Targets surface-level spider veins, guided by the naked eye.
Ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy: Targets deeper varicose veins, guided by imaging for accuracy.

For patients with leg pain, heaviness, or swelling, ultrasound guidance ensures that we are treating the true source of the problem—not just the visible veins.

Why Choose Sheen Vein in St. Louis?

At Sheen Vein (Aesthetics and Functional Medicine), we combine experience, advanced imaging technology, and minimally invasive techniques to deliver the best possible vein care. Our patients benefit from:

Comprehensive evaluation: We don’t just treat the surface—we address underlying circulation issues.
State-of-the-art ultrasound imaging: Ensures safe, precise treatment.
Insurance coverage: Often available for medically necessary vein procedures.
Compassionate care: We understand that vein disease affects both comfort and confidence.

Our mission is to restore your circulation, relieve your symptoms, and help you feel confident in your legs again.

Final Thoughts

Varicose veins are more than a cosmetic issue—they are often a sign of underlying venous disease. Ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy is a safe, minimally invasive, and highly effective way to treat these deeper problem veins while improving circulation and relieving symptoms.

If you live in the St. Louis area and are experiencing leg pain, heaviness, or visible varicose veins, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with Sheen Vein (Aesthetics and Functional Medicine). Relief and healthier legs are possible—with treatment tailored specifically for you.

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