Are aching, heavy legs and bulging varicose veins keeping you from the activities you love? Nearly 40% of adults in the United States live with some form of varicose vein disease, yet many never realize that a quick, non-surgical treatment exists.
Varithena™ uses an innovative foam solution to precisely target damaged veins, easing discomfort and restoring smoother, healthier-looking legs without the need for surgery.
At Tennessee Vein Center, board-certified phlebologist Dr. Keith E. Campbell has exclusively treated varicose and spider veins in the Knoxville area since 2003. Our nationally accredited Alcoa, TN practice is recognized for delivering advanced, minimally invasive vein care with proven, lasting results.
What is Varithena Vein Treatment?
Varithena is a polidocanol injectable foam medication approved by the FDA in 2013 for the treatment of varicose veins. Varithena is a minimally invasive, non-surgical treatment proven to improve the symptoms and appearance of varicose veins.
Varithena:
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It is a safe, effective, and proven treatment
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Does not require incisions or hospitalization
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Has a short recovery time – many people return to their normal activities the same day
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Is covered by most major insurance carriers when medically necessary
How Does the Varithena Procedure Work?
Varithena works by directly injecting micro-foam into the damaged varicose vein. This micro-foam irritates the vein’s lining, causing it to seal shut. The blood is then routed to healthy surrounding veins.
A thorough venous mapping ultrasound is performed before your initial vein treatment. Venous mapping identifies the location and extent of varicose veins for treatment with Varithena.
Ultrasound guidance is also used during the Varithena procedure. This allows direct visualization of Varithena being injected into the varicose vein. Varithena pushes the blood out of the vein, causing it to spasm shut and shrink.
Once the damaged vein is treated and closed, blood is routed to the nearby normally functioning veins. The body slowly reabsorbs the vein over the next few weeks to months.
What Type of Veins Does Varithena Treat?
Varithena is a versatile medication used to treat many types of varicose veins.
Large, straight, and smaller twisted veins can all be treated with Varithena. Even veins that have previously undergone unsuccessful treatments may respond well to Varithena. Varithena is not approved for the treatment of spider veins.
Spider vein treatment may be performed separately after Varithena.
Varithena may not be the best choice for every patient and their specific varicose vein presentation. Our physician and nurse practitioner can help you decide if Varithena is the best option for you.
How Does the Varithena Procedure Work?
Varithena can improve your symptoms and the appearance of your varicose veins when performed by an experienced vein specialist.
Patients can usually resume normal daily activities shortly after the Varithena. However, they should avoid strenuous activities, heavy lifting, or prolonged standing for a few days to allow the treated veins to heal properly.
You may be required to wear compression stockings or other compression garments to aid in the healing process. These garments help reduce swelling and improve blood circulation in the treated area.
Immediately following treatment, some common side effects may include mild bruising, swelling, or tenderness at the injection sites. These side effects are usually temporary and should improve within a few days to a few weeks.
Varithena recovery is generally shorter than more invasive procedures like vein stripping surgery. Most patients experience minimal discomfort or downtime and can often return to work and other routine activities within a day or two.
Many people see improvement in symptoms such as aching, heaviness, throbbing, fatigue, cramping, and leg swelling. Varithena has also been shown to improve the appearance of visible varicose veins and can significantly address your vein condition.
It is always important to follow your healthcare provider’s precise instructions for optimal results.
Why Choose Tennessee Vein Center for Varithena Treatment in Alcoa, TN?
At Tennessee Vein Center, you receive expert care from Dr. Keith E. Campbell, a board-certified phlebologist who has exclusively treated varicose and spider veins in the Knoxville area since 2003. Our nationally accredited Alcoa, TN facility specializes in minimally invasive vein treatments, including Varithena, delivered with precision and compassion. We use advanced ultrasound-guided techniques to ensure accurate, effective results while keeping you comfortable. From your initial consultation through recovery, our experienced team customizes every treatment plan to your unique needs. Conveniently located near Knoxville, we proudly serve patients in East Tennessee seeking lasting relief from painful, unsightly varicose veins.
Who May Be A Good Candidate For Varithena?
Varithena may be appropriate for adults with symptomatic varicose veins caused by poorly functioning superficial veins. Because vein disease can vary significantly from one patient to another, treatment recommendations should be based on both symptoms and ultrasound findings rather than appearance alone.
Patients may be evaluated for Varithena if they experience:
- Aching, heaviness, throbbing, or fatigue in the legs
- Swelling that becomes more noticeable after standing or sitting for long periods
- Bulging or twisted varicose veins
- Recurrent varicose veins after previous treatment
- Symptoms that interfere with exercise, work, or normal daily activities
A venous ultrasound can help determine which veins are contributing to symptoms and whether Varithena is the most appropriate treatment. Some patients may benefit more from another minimally invasive procedure or from a combination of vein treatments, depending on the location and extent of their venous disease.
Frequently Asked Questions About Varithena
Treatment time can vary depending on the number and extent of the veins being addressed, but Varithena is performed as an outpatient procedure and does not require a hospital stay. During treatment, ultrasound guidance helps the provider precisely deliver the foam medication into the affected vein.
Some patients may achieve their treatment goals with a single session, while others may need additional procedures depending on the extent of their varicose veins and their response. Follow-up evaluation allows the treatment team to assess vein closure, symptom improvement, and the need for further treatment.
Both treatments involve medication that causes an unhealthy vein to close, but Varithena uses a specially formulated polidocanol microfoam. Its foam consistency allows the medication to fill and contact the walls of certain larger or more complex varicose veins. The treatment approach may vary based on the type, size, location, and anatomy of the affected veins.
Varithena may be considered for certain recurrent varicose veins, including veins that remain problematic after an earlier procedure. Ultrasound evaluation is important because recurrent veins can develop through different pathways, and identifying their source helps determine the most appropriate treatment strategy.
Treating an unhealthy superficial vein does not stop normal circulation through the leg. Once the affected vein closes, blood is naturally redirected into healthier veins that can return it toward the heart more efficiently.
Varicose veins should be evaluated when they are associated with ongoing pain, heaviness, swelling, throbbing, fatigue, skin changes, or other symptoms that affect comfort or activity. An evaluation can determine whether the visible veins are connected to underlying venous insufficiency and whether treatment such as Varithena may help.
Schedule a Varithena Treatment Today
If you’re living with varicose veins, Varithena may be an excellent treatment option for you.
At Tennessee Vein Center, we will work with you to customize a treatment plan that improves your health and gets you back to the active lifestyle you deserve.
Explore our wide range of personalized cosmetic treatments available in Knoxville.
It’s time to make varicose vein pain a thing of the past. Call (865) 233-5858 now to book your appointment with us today.
A Look at Varithena Before and After
Are you considering Varithena treatment? Explore actual patient results in our before-and-after photo gallery.
