Varicose Vein Treatment

A San Francisco Vein Center provider evaluates your varicose veins and recommends treatment based on your symptoms, examination, and ultrasound. Options include compression or a minimally invasive procedure called ablation. Some surface veins may need additional treatment.

What Are Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins most commonly found in the legs. They develop when the valves in your veins weaken and allow blood to pool. Over time, this pressure causes veins to bulge and become visibly distorted. In addition to cosmetic concerns, varicose veins can cause pain, swelling, and other uncomfortable symptoms that often worsen without treatment.

Patients often ask us, “How do I get rid of varicose veins?” The answer depends on the severity of your condition, but today’s minimally invasive vein treatment options make it easier than ever to address varicose veins safely and effectively—with little to no downtime. Our clinic specializes in leg vein treatment for patients throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

Symptoms of Varicose Veins

Varicose vein symptoms may begin with subtle discomfort or visible leg veins, but the symptoms can become more pronounced over time. Many patients come to us seeking treatment for painful varicose veins, which can interfere with daily activities and quality of life. Varicose veins are swollen and usually purple or blue. The blue color is because blood that pools in the veins is deficient of oxygen. Most varicose vein symptoms are worse at the end of the day, around the time of a menstrual period, in hot weather, and with prolonged standing or sitting. Symptoms are often improved with leg elevation, or the use of compression stockings.

Common signs include:

• Leg pain or heaviness
• Swelling in the ankles or calves (edema). One of the most telltale signs is indentations in your legs from socks.
• Aching or throbbing sensations. This feeling is due to the increased pressure of the blood against the vein wall.
• Night cramps
• Restless legs
• Numbness
• Itching or burning along the vein path. This may lead to severely dry skin and can be a form of eczema.
• Skin discoloration or inflammation
• Worsening symptoms during menstruation or pregnancy

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, evaluation by a board-certified vein specialist is recommended.

What Causes Varicose Veins?

Healthy veins have one-way valves that help blood return to the heart. When these valves fail, blood flows backward and collects in the vein—a condition known as venous reflux or venous insufficiency. This can cause the vein to stretch, swell, and become varicose.

Several factors can increase your risk:

• Family history of vein disease
• Pregnancy or hormonal changes
• Prolonged standing or sitting
• Obesity
• Aging
• Injury

Understanding the cause of your vein issues is a crucial first step in determining the most appropriate treatment plan.

Are Varicose Veins Dangerous?

Varicose veins can be more than a cosmetic concern. They may reflect venous insufficiency, where damaged valves allow blood to flow backward and increase pressure in the leg veins. Symptoms can include pain, throbbing and swelling. Some people develop complications such as:

• Skin discoloration
• Bleeding
• Superficial thrombophlebitis (inflammation and clotting in surface veins)
• Venous leg ulcers

Leg ulcers are open sores that can take months to heal. An examination helps us find the vein problem behind these changes and decide whether treatment is needed.

Another common question we hear: “Do varicose veins go away on their own?” Unfortunately, they do not. While symptoms may fluctuate, the underlying condition tends to progress without proper treatment.

Diagnosis and Personalized Treatment Planning

We start with an examination and, when needed, ultrasound vein mapping to look at the veins beneath your skin. Ultrasound shows blood flow and helps identify veins whose valves allow backward flow, called venous reflux.

Your symptoms, examination and ultrasound findings guide the treatment plan. Insurance coverage for RFA depends on your plan and whether the procedure meets its medical-necessity requirements. Read more about insurance for vein treatment.

Conservative Treatments

Conservative treatment may ease varicose vein symptoms, but it does not remove the affected veins. Options include:

• compression stockings
• regular exercise
• weight management
• avoiding prolonged standing

Minimally Invasive Varicose Vein Treatment

We specialize in minimally invasive varicose vein treatment that addresses both the appearance of your veins and the symptoms they cause. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is typically performed in the office using local anesthesia.

Our treatments are designed to:

• Eliminate the underlying reflux
• Improve symptoms and appearance
• Minimize recovery time

You’ll be able to walk immediately after your procedure and return to most normal activities the same day. For more complicated cases, some patients need to be brought to the operating room. However, post-operative process is the same as when done in the office. The patient can walks out with little pain and recovery time.

Best Treatment for Varicose Veins

For most patients, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is the gold standard in varicose vein care. RFA uses thermal energy to close off malfunctioning veins, redirecting blood flow to healthy veins nearby. It is safe, effective, and virtually painless.

We’ve dedicated an entire page to explaining how RFA works and why it’s considered the best treatment for varicose veins.

Varicose Vein Removal

Varicose vein removal refers to physically removing affected veins. RFA instead closes a faulty vein from within. For some surface veins that remain, microphlebectomy, also called stab phlebectomy, may be considered. This procedure removes small sections of vein through tiny incisions.

Do You Need Varicose Vein Surgery?

Today, varicose vein surgery usually refers to office-based procedures like RFA or microphlebectomy. Traditional vein stripping is rarely performed due to advances in modern technology. Most patients can achieve excellent results without the need for invasive surgery, downtime, or general anesthesia.

What to Expect Before, During, and After Treatment

Before: You’ll undergo a full consultation and ultrasound. We’ll review your medical history, symptoms, and goals.

During: Most procedures take under an hour. Local anesthesia is used to ensure comfort, and you’ll remain awake and relaxed throughout.

After: You’ll walk immediately and can typically resume normal activity the same day. Compression stockings are not necessary after radiofrequency ablation but some patients opt to wear them. Follow-up visits help monitor healing and long-term results.