Treatments
How radiofrequency ablation addresses the malfunctioning vein at the source of
your symptoms, what the procedure involves, and what lasting relief looks like for
most patients.
Radiofrequency ablation is the most widely performed and well-studied
treatment for venous reflux, and it remains the gold standard for good reason.
At The Vein Clinic of Dallas, every RFA procedure is personally performed by Dr. Husein Poonawala , a Harvard-trained vascular and interventional radiologist with double board certification in venous and lymphatic medicine,
under continuous ultrasound guidance from start to finish. It is recommended
only when a thorough diagnostic evaluation confirms that venous reflux is the
genuine source of your symptoms.
Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive in-office procedure that treats chronic venous insufficiency , the underlying condition responsible for varicose veins , leg heaviness, aching, swelling, and skin changes in the legs.
Venous insufficiency occurs when the valves inside the leg veins weaken and
allow blood to flow backward and pool in the lower legs rather than return
efficiently toward the heart. This backward flow, known as venous reflux,
generates pressure that causes veins to enlarge, symptoms to develop, and
over time, the skin changes associated with more advanced venous disease.
RFA addresses this at its source. By sealing the malfunctioning vein with
controlled radiofrequency energy, the procedure eliminates the reflux, relieves
the pressure, and allows blood to reroute naturally through healthy adjacent
veins.
30–60 minutes
Local + tumescent
Continuous ultrasound
Same-day return to activity
Covered by most plans
RFA is recommended when a diagnostic duplex ultrasound confirms venous reflux and
the clinical picture supports treatment. Not every vein with measurable reflux requires
intervention. The decision is made on the basis of your symptom profile, the degree of
reflux, and whether treatment will produce meaningful clinical benefit.
Confirmed reflux in the great saphenous vein, small saphenous vein, or accessory saphenous veins
Symptoms including leg heaviness, aching, swelling, throbbing, or nighttime cramping with a confirmed venous cause
Varicose veins that are symptomatic or progressing
Symptoms including leg heaviness, aching, swelling, throbbing, restlessness or nighttime cramping with a confirmed venous cause
RFA is performed under continuous duplex ultrasound guidance, ensuring that every
step is precisely directed and monitored in real time.
Local anesthetic numbs the entry point and the tissue surrounding the target vein, ensuring comfort throughout.
A thin catheter is introduced into the malfunctioning vein through a small 1 to 2mm skin incision. No sutures are needed; the access site is closed with a small adhesive steri-strip.
Tumescent anesthetic solution is delivered around the vein to protect surrounding tissue and maintain comfort during the procedure. This step may involve some brief pressure or mild discomfort, but is very well tolerated by most patients.
The catheter delivers controlled radiofrequency energy as it is withdrawn, heating the vein wall and causing it to contract and seal permanently.
Blood flow reroutes to healthy adjacent veins, restoring efficient circulation as soon as the treated vein is sealed.
The treated vein gradually shrinks and is absorbed by the body over the following months, with no residual vessel remaining.
Relief that goes deeper than the surface.
Significant improvement in leg heaviness, aching, swelling, and throbbing typically begins within days of treatment
Visible varicose veins overlying the treated vessel gradually flatten and fade over several weeks as circulation normalizes
Treated vein is permanently sealed. Long-term closure rates for RFA exceed 95 percent in published clinical studies
No stitches, no scarring, no hospital stay. Follow-up duplex ultrasound confirms successful closure and monitors healing
Radiofrequency ablation is covered by most major insurance plans,
including Medicare, when venous reflux is confirmed on diagnostic
ultrasound and medical necessity criteria are met. Our team handles all
prior authorization submissions and insurance communications on your
behalf. Some plans require a conservative management trial before
approving treatment. We will tell you exactly what your plan requires
before anything is scheduled.
Plans accepted include BCBS, Anthem, Medicare, Aetna, Cigna, United
Healthcare and more.
RFA has an excellent and well-documented safety profile built on decades of clinical use and extensive published evidence. It is FDA-approved and considered a first-line treatment for symptomatic venous reflux by major vascular medicine guidelines. Temporary side effects including bruising and mild tightness along the treated vein resolve within one to two weeks. Serious complications are rare and our post-procedure protocol is specifically designed to minimize risk.
Dr. Poonawala personally performs every RFA under continuous ultrasound guidance. His background as a vascular and interventional radiologist means catheter-based, image-guided procedures are his area of deepest clinical expertise.
RFA is recommended when evaluation confirms it is genuinely indicated, not as a default response to any abnormal ultrasound finding. If a vein does not require treatment, we will tell you.
Comprehensive duplex ultrasound, flow dynamics assessment, thermal vascular imaging, and venous mapping ensure every treatment plan is built on a complete understanding of your venous anatomy.
Your RFA is the beginning of a monitored relationship with your vein health, not the end of it. Annual follow-up evaluations detect early recurrence and protect your results over time.
If your legs feel heavy by the end of the day, ache after standing, swell around the ankles,
or have developed visible varicose veins, a comprehensive vein evaluation will determine
whether radiofrequency ablation is the right treatment for you.
Schedule your consultation with The Vein Clinic of Dallas, serving Flower Mound, Lewisville, Coppell, Southlake, Irving and the greater DFW area.