VarithenaⓇ Treatment for Varicose Veins

About 23% of women and men (mostly women) in the United States have varicose veins — tortuous, twisted veins that protrude from your skin and mar the look of your legs. If you include other kinds of broken, dysfunctional blood vessels, such as telangiectasias (i.e., spider veins), that number jumps to 85% of women and 80% of men.

When you’re included in those percentages, you may avoid wearing bathing suits, shorts, or skirts – even at the gym or the beach. You’re embarrassed by the twisted, ropelike veins that are so visible behind your skin.

You may have considered removing varicose veins, but haven’t done it. Perhaps you think varicose vein removal is just feeding your vanity. Or you worry that having veins surgically removed would be unduly painful. Or you’re afraid that your circulation will be negatively affected.

Varicose veins are more than a problem of aesthetics or vanity. They’re actually broken veins that already negatively affect your circulation. In fact, removing them helps your body reroute blood to healthy vessels and improve your blood flow. 

At Texas Heart and Vein Multispecialty Group, board-certified and expert cardiovascular surgeon Jon-Cecil Walkes, MD, removes broken varicose veins with FDA-approved VarithenaⓇ sclerotherapy. He administers this safe, simple treatment in the safety and comfort of our Houston, Texas, area offices.

How does Varithena treatment work? Following is a brief guide.

Varithena is minimally invasive

You don’t have to worry about incisions, or even a long series of injections. With Varithena, we may only need to administer 1-2 needle sticks to inject the foam. 

First, we prepare your legs by applying antiseptic. Next, we inject the Varithena microfoam in the first site. Varithena contains polidocanal, so let us know if you’re allergic so we can perform a different type of treatment. 

Next, we move on to another site, if appropriate. In most cases, sclerotherapy with Varithena takes under an hour.

Varithena causes ‘bad’ veins to collapse

Once the microfoam enters your vein, it gradually irritates the vessel walls and, over time, causes diseased veins to collapse. Your blood dilutes the foam and eventually flushes it out.

Soon, your legs are free of distorted, diseased veins. We can even use Varithena to eliminate a diseased great saphenous vein.

Your body finds better veins

Just as you take an alternate route if you encounter a roadblock, your blood immediately reroutes itself once the diseased vein can’t be accessed. Instead of being slowed down in diseased veins, your circulation flows freely through healthy veins instead.

You wear compression stockings for a couple of weeks to control swelling and increase circulation. You notice that your legs feel more comfortable as they adjust to their new circulatory route.

Varithena is pain-free

If just the thought of a needle stick makes you queasy, don’t worry. Not only do we need fewer needle sticks in Varithena than with other forms of sclerotherapy, but the pricks are also nearly  painless.

In fact, patients report only about 0.4% of pain at the injection site. If you’re nervous, though, ask us about applying a numbing cream before we inject you.

Varithena lets you get back to business

For the most part, you should be able to resume normal daily activities. However, we recommend refraining from strenuous exercise for at least a week, while your legs heal. Instead, walk for at least 10 minutes a day to improve circulation. You should also avoid sitting or reclining for long periods of time. Keep moving … gently.

You must keep your bandages on for the first 48 hours, and make sure they stay dry. You wear a compression bandage on the treated leg or legs for at least two weeks. 

Treatment with Varithena makes your legs look clear and healthy again. Varithena also eliminates leg symptoms such as:

• Heaviness 
• Aching 
• Swelling
• Itching
• Throbbing

Most people need only one treatment. Your insurance may cover the cost of treatment.

If you’d like to eliminate veins that mar your legs and slow down your circulation, phone us at the office nearest you or schedule an appointment online for varicose vein treatment today. 

We service Greater Heights, Pearland Market, League City, Lake Jackson, Manvel, Rosharen, Alvin, Fresno, Missouri City, Arcola, Friendswood, South Houston, Kingwood Market, Humble, New Chaney, Atasciacita, and Northeast Houston, Texas.