What Is Varithena?
Varithena is a minimally invasive, non-surgical treatment for varicose veins. The procedure uses ultrasound-guided injections of a polidocanol microfoam (a sclerosing agent) into faulty veins, causing them to collapse, scar, and get reabsorbed by the body, redirecting blood flow to healthier veins and improving symptoms and appearance. Varithena requires no incisions or general anesthesia, offers quick recovery, and is done in-office, making it an effective alternative to surgery for chronic venous insufficiency.
What Type of Veins Can Be Treated with Varithena?
Varithena is used is used to treat a variety of unhealthy and unsightly vein presentations on the legs. It is an effective treatment even for larger, twisted, and more tourtuous veins.
How does Varithena Work?
At a high level, Varithena works by intentionally damaging a problem vein. This forces the vein to close, the body to use other, healthier veins for blood flow, and finally for the problem vein to be absorbed by the body.Â
Here’s how it works step-by-step:
- Injection: A doctor uses ultrasound to find the problem vein (often the great saphenous vein system) and injects the polidocanol foam.
- Foam Action: The foam displaces blood, contacts the vein wall, damages the inner lining, and causes it to scar and close.
- Blood Rerouting: Blood flows to healthy veins, improving circulation.
- Vein Absorption: The treated vein hardens, shrinks, and is absorbed by the body over time.
What Are The Benefits of Varithena?
Varithena is a state-of-the-art procedure that is minimally-invasive, requires no surgery, can performed safely and quickly in our office, and is suitable to a wide variety of vein conditions. Key benefits of Varithena include:
- Minimally Invasive: No surgery, incisions, or stitches.
- Quick & Convenient: Usually under an hour, with little downtime.
- Effective for Various Veins: Treats large, twisted, or tortuous veins.
- Reduces Symptoms: Alleviates aching, heaviness, swelling, and skin irritation.
What Should I Expect at My Appointment?
The Varithena procedure is performed at both our Fort Worth and Granbury locations by a trained physician. Because the treatment is minimally invasive – no surgery, no stitches.Â
Recovery is quick, and you should expect to walk out of your appointment within an hour of treatment and resume normal activities the same day.
What is The Process Following Varithena Treatment?
Following your appointment for Varithena treatment, you will be able to walk out of the office and resume normal activities the same day. In fact, active movement is recommended both the day of and on the days following the procedure. This helps to prevent your treated leg from “stiffening” or developing blood clots while the problem vein breaks down and new, healthy vein pathways are used instead.
For the first 48 hour following treatment, you will wear a compression stocking on the treated leg at all times, followed by another 12 days of wearing the stocking during your most active hours, typically 7am – 7pm.Â
You may feel slight tenderness and pulling sensations in your leg, and you may see some bruising. These are normal and will go away with time.
Before your procedure, you will receive a full written description of the post-treatment recovery process, and your physician will discuss this with you in full detail.Â