Why Should You Wear a Compression Stocking After Sclerotherapy?
Posted on: 16 December 2018
If your vascular surgeon has recommended that you have a sclerotherapy procedure to get rid of spider or varicose veins in one of your legs, then you'll have chemical injections into the veins to get rid of them. This is an easier process than having surgery to strip the veins out, but it still requires some aftercare on your part.
After surgery, your surgeon will tell you how to take care of your leg. They may put a compression stocking on your leg and tell you to wear it for a period of time after you get home.
Why is this stocking necessary, and how long do you need to wear it?
Why Do You Need a Compression Stocking?
Any work you have done on your veins can cause some problems. This applies even if you've only had a simple sclerotherapy procedure where you can go home same day.
The compression stocking that you put on after the surgeon is done may feel tight on your leg, but this tightness helps. The stocking reduces the chances that you'll develop problems after the procedure. It also helps your leg heal quickly and effectively.
For example, a stocking stops swelling and bruising from forming around the injection sites. It also prevents the blood in your leg from forming dangerous blood clots. Combined with basic gentle exercise like walking, a stocking simply helps your leg heal better.
How Long Must You Wear a Stocking?
There's no set time limit for wearing a compression stocking after sclerotherapy injections. This depends on your surgeon, your general health and how much work was done on your leg.
Your surgeon may want you to keep the stocking on for a few hours or even a day or so before you take it off for the first time. They may then want you to wear it for most of the time for at least a few days, only taking it off at night or when you shower and bathe.
Sometimes, you may be told you can ditch the stocking more quickly, but you'll then be told to wear specialist support hose for a few days. Again, this depends on the condition of your legs and the treatment you had.
It's important to follow your surgeon's compression stocking instructions. If you stop wearing a stocking too soon, then your leg may take longer to heal and may develop other problems that need treatment.
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