Radiofrequency Ablation

Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that involves using thermal energy rather than laser energy to collapse the diseased saphenous vein responsible for your vein problems. It’s a safe, in-office procedure that concludes within 15 to 30 minutes and involves no downtime. RF ablation has a 98% success rate, and it addresses the root cause of vein problems, thus minimizing the risk of vein disease recurrence. Most insurance plans cover this treatment because it’s considered medically necessary.

During radiofrequency ablation, the vein doctor administers local anesthesia to numb the skin’s surface and makes a small incision on the skin’s surface. The vein doctor inserts a specialized catheter into the diseased vein via the incision under ultrasound guidance. Once the catheter is lodged inside the diseased vein, the physician delivers tumescent anesthesia, which is a special fluid with pain medication. The anesthetic solution numbs the surrounding tissues to ensure comfort and provides insulation for the heat generated within the vein.

After delivering tumescent anesthesia, the vein doctor activates the catheter to generate radiofrequency waves that convert into thermal energy and destroy the diseased vein. The accumulated blood reroutes into healthier leg veins, and the diseased vein eventually gets absorbed by the body. This procedure causes minimal post-treatment side effects and discomfort.