Doctors use Clarivein to fight varicose veins

Varicose veins aren't just a cosmetic problem.

They can be a sign of trouble with veins we don't even see. There's a new FDA-approved method of addressing them both above and below the surface.

Vicki Rothman was fed up with her growing varicose veins.

Years ago, when her mother looked for relief, the only option was painful vein stripping.

When Vicki sought a solution, Dr. Charles Dietzek of the Vein & Vascular Institute suggested Clarivein.

Dr. Dietzek says bulging veins on the surface usually mean trouble below.

When valves in deeper veins weaken, instead of the blood flow going up, he says as a person stands up, the blood is goes down.

The pressure pushes surface veins out.

So the deeper vein needs to be closed down.

Dr. Dietzek first locates it using ultrasound.

He makes a tiny incision and slips a long catheter inside.

Then a vial of medication is loaded into the Clarivein handset and it's ready to go.

The very tip of the catheter is where the medicine comes out and when the device turns on, it actually spins.

Right away, the vein starts closing, shifting the blood flow to healthier vessels.

Vicki says the 20 minute process was virtually painless; she only felt a little vibration and a few seconds of slight pain.

Afterward, she and other patients are told to get walking.

Five weeks later, the bulging spots on Vicki's legs were much smaller and the incision marks gone.

Best of all, so was the aching.

Dr. Dietzek says closed veins continue to shrink and fade for several months.

There's a very low risk of complications and less than 1% chance of a blood clot and the risk of infection is even lower.

Clarivein doesn't use heat so it won't cause the skin burns or nerve damage some procedures can.

Dr. Dietzek also says many insurers pay for Clarivein treatments.