Varithena® Treatment for Varicose Veins
If you’re dealing with painful, bulging varicose veins, relief is possible, with minimal disruption to your daily life. Varithena® is an FDA-approved, minimally invasive treatment that uses a specialized microfoam to close diseased veins and reroute blood flow to healthier vessels.
The procedure is quick, requires no incisions or stitches, and most patients are able to resume normal activities the very same day. At United Vein & Vascular Centers, our experienced specialists use Varithena to help restore both your comfort and confidence.
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What Varithena Can Treat
Varithena is primarily used to treat varicose veins in the legs. These enlarged, twisted veins develop when vein valves become weakened or damaged, causing blood to pool instead of flowing efficiently back to the heart. As pressure builds, the veins become swollen, often appearing purple or blue and taking on a bulging, rope-like appearance. Varithena helps address both the visible and symptomatic effects of varicose veins, improving circulation and comfort.
You may have varicose veins if you consistently suffer from the following:
- Burning or itching in the legs
- Sore or aching leg muscles
- Leg cramps
- Skin color or texture changes
- Pain in your legs following a long period of sitting
How Varithena Works
Varithena’s microfoam contains low amounts of nitrogen to deliver a cohesive solution to the body. This microfoam is specially formulated to produce a uniform density, size and stability (UDSS) to displace blood, even in the widest vessel shape and size.
The following steps are what you can expect during a Varithena treatment:
- Map out the malfunctioning vein: At a consultation before the injections are administered, your doctor will map out the most affected veins that will receive the injections. Doing this will speed up the process on the day of the procedure.
- Position the leg: For the best results, the doctor will raise the leg to a 45-degree angle for the injections to enter the vein.
- Generate the microfoam: The doctor will use the Varithena canister to generate the prescription microfoam.
- Administer the solution: The microfoam is inserted directly into the problem vein using a small injection. The number of injections needed can depend on the condition of the varicose veins.
- Compress the leg: After treatment, the leg must be compressed to ensure the medication is absorbed.
The Varithena procedure typically takes less than an hour—often around 30 minutes. Unlike traditional liquid-based treatments, Varithena’s microfoam formulation works more quickly and effectively. The foam displaces blood in the vein and allows for better contact with the vein wall, leading to faster absorption and more efficient results than liquid sclerosants.
Post-Procedure Tips for Varithena
Varithena is a gentle, non-invasive treatment that requires minimal downtime. After completing the procedure, the patient can return to their usual diet and activities. Bruising and swelling around the injection site may occur after the treatment.
Do not remove the bandages within the first 48 hours, and take sponge baths only. The patient may remove the bandages and take a shower after 48 hours.
You should also maintain movement and avoid standing or sitting with legs straight down whenever possible to reduce the risk of more varicose vein formation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Varithena uses a specialized microfoam to gently collapse diseased veins, allowing blood to reroute through healthier vessels. Unlike some treatments, it requires no incisions and typically results in faster symptom relief.
Many patients notice an improvement in the appearance and symptoms of varicose veins within a few weeks. Full results may take a few months as the treated veins collapse and are absorbed by the body.
Results are long-lasting, especially when combined with healthy habits and compression therapy. Many patients experience significant improvement in both appearance and discomfort for years after treatment.