Vein Treatments — What to Expect
Vein Treaments
Modern vein treatment is nothing like it was 20 years ago.
There is no hospital. No general anesthesia. No surgical incisions. No weeks of recovery.
Today’s treatments are performed in a vein specialist’s office in 15–45 minutes — and most patients return to work the following day, including those who work on their feet.
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
What it is: The most widely used treatment for venous insufficiency. A thin catheter is inserted into the diseased vein through a tiny puncture in the skin. Radiofrequency energy heats the vein wall from the inside, causing it to collapse and seal shut. Blood naturally reroutes through healthy veins.
Procedure time: 30–45 minutes
Anesthesia: Local only — numbing injections along the vein
Recovery: Walk out the same day; return to work the next day in most cases
Results: Immediate improvement in symptoms; vein fully absorbed over several months
Insurance coverage: Covered by Medicare and most major commercial insurers when medically necessary
Venaseal (Medical Adhesive Closure)
What it is: A catheter delivers a small amount of medical-grade adhesive directly into the diseased vein, sealing it shut without heat or tumescent anesthesia. Particularly well-suited for patients who prefer to avoid injections or who have veins located near sensitive structures.
Procedure time: 20–30 minutes
Anesthesia: Minimal — access point only
Recovery: Same-day; return to work the following day
Results: Comparable to RFA; no thermal energy, no risk of skin numbness
Insurance coverage: Covered by most major insurers; verify with your plan
Varithena (Polidocanol Injectable Foam)
What it is: A prescription foam is injected directly into the diseased vein. The foam displaces blood, contacts the vein wall, and causes it to close. Ideal for tortuous or difficult-to-catheterize varicose veins, or as a complement to RFA.
Procedure time: 15–30 minutes
Anesthesia: Local at injection site only
Recovery: Compression stocking for 2 weeks; most return to normal activity promptly
Results: Significant reduction in varicose vein size and symptom relief
Insurance coverage: Covered by most plans for symptomatic disease
Sclerotherapy (Liquid or Foam)
What it is: A solution is injected directly into spider veins or small varicose veins, causing them to collapse and fade. Most often used for cosmetic spider veins or as a finishing treatment after RFA or VenaSeal.
Procedure time: 15–30 minutes
Anesthesia: None required
Recovery: Compression stocking for 1–2 weeks; normal activity same day
Results: Gradual fading over 4–6 weeks; may require multiple sessions for full effect
Insurance coverage: Cosmetic spider vein sclerotherapy is typically not covered; symptomatic small varicose vein treatment may be
Which Treatment is Right For You
The right treatment depends on your anatomy, the severity and location of your reflux, your symptom burden, and your insurance coverage. Your vein specialist will review your duplex ultrasound results and recommend a personalized plan.
Most patients need only one treatment session for the primary diseased vein. Additional sessions may address remaining varicosities or spider veins.