After Sclerotherapy

Home Instructions

Compression Stockings

Compression stockings are very important to the success of your procedure. You will need to wear them for one month after the injections.

Wear the compression stocking on your leg all day and night for the first 72 hours.  Do not take it off. You will wear the stocking while you sleep.

After 72 hours, you may take off the stocking at night when you go to bed. Be sure to put it back on in the morning when you get up.

Exercise

Start light activities such as walking, light aerobics, or using the treadmill or elliptical trainer.  Do this for at least 30 minutes every day for the next 4 weeks. 

If you have a regular exercise routine, you may slowly return to your normal activity over the next several days.  Wear your compression hose when you exercise.

For at least 2 weeks, don’t do any hard aerobics, horseback riding, squats, pilates, or strenuous sports.  Don’t do anything that involves straining such as lifting heavy weights.

Medicines

If you have any mild pain after the injections, you make take Tylenol (acetaminophen) or ibuprofen.

If your age is less than 65

• Take Tylenol (acetaminophen) 1000 mg  3 times a day as needed.

• Take two tablets of Ibuprofen 200 mg (for a total of 400 mg)  3 times a day with meals as needed. 

If you are 65 or older

• Take Tylenol (acetaminophen) 650 mg  3 times a day as needed.

• Take Ibuprofen 200 mg  3 times a day with meals as needed.

Complication

A possible complication is a blood clot deep in a vein in your leg.  This is called deep vein thrombosis (DVT).  This is very rare after sclerotherapy.

If your calf swells or you have pain deep in your calf, call the clinic right away.

Showers

Do not shower for the first 3 days after the procedure.  

For the rest of the first week, take showers only.  No tub baths, hot tubs or swimming pools during this time.

Bruises, Lumps and Changes in Color

You may have bruises and lumps after your injections.  They will go away over time.  Please call the clinic if they last more than 2 weeks.

Massage

Please wait 3 weeks before having any leg massages.

Toe Raises

Try not to stand still or sit with your legs down for any length of time.  If you must sit or stand for a long time, remember to do your dorsiflexion exercises (toe raises).  Do 12 every hour.

Call your Doctor if you Have:

• Pain in your leg, calf or feet

• Bleeding at your injection sites

• Extreme swelling or bruising

• Fever

• Chest pain

• Skin breakdown at the site of an injection

Remember

• Treated veins always look worse before they look better.

• Do not expect results after the first or second treatment.

• You will see good results after 3 to 5 sessions.