Endovenous Ablation at Medex Diagnostic & Treatment Center in Queens lets you banish painful, bulging varicose veins in under an hour: our vein specialists use gentle radiofrequency or laser energy through a pin-hole puncture to seal faulty veins, ease leg heaviness, and prevent future ulcers—then send you home walking the same day, with ultrasound, follow-up, and insurance coordination handled right here in Forest Hills. Schedule an appointment today!
Between 10 % and 60 % of adults worldwide develop visible varicose veins during their lifetime, and the trend rises roughly 5 % each year as populations age and obesity increases. Recent meta-analyses show a 25 % prevalence even among young, otherwise healthy healthcare workers—underscoring how long hours of standing magnify venous-pressure damage. Left untreated, varicose veins advance to chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), bringing leg swelling, skin discoloration, and ulceration that costs U.S. health systems billions annually in wound care.
Endovenous ablation (EVA) is a family of image-guided, catheter-based techniques that seal incompetent superficial veins from the inside. After ultrasound mapping, a physician inserts a thin fiber or catheter through a pin-hole puncture and delivers energy—thermal (radiofrequency or laser), chemical (foam sclerosant), mechanochemical, or adhesive glue—to collapse the vein wall. Blood is rerouted instantly to healthy deep veins, relieving pressure that causes bulging, pain, and skin changes.
Because EVA is performed under local anesthesia with walking encouraged immediately afterward, most patients return to desk work the next morning.
Faulty valves in the great saphenous (GSV), small saphenous (SSV), or accessory veins allow blood to flow backward (reflux), elevating venous pressure by 20–40 mm Hg during standing. Over years, that pressure stretches the vessel wall, producing:
Traditional high-ligature and stripping surgery works but requires general anesthesia, groin incisions, weeks of recovery, and often leaves long scars. EVA closes the gap between compression-stocking management and operative stripping, offering an office-based cure with superior cosmetic and quality-of-life scores according to every randomized trial since 2010. The 2023 Society for Vascular Surgery/American Venous Forum guidelines now recommend thermal-ablation over surgery as first-line therapy for symptomatic reflux.
Candidate Profile | Why EVA Helps | Evidence Snapshot |
---|---|---|
CEAP C2–C6 patients with documented axial reflux in GSV/SSV or perforators | Removes root cause of venous hypertension | 12-month occlusion > 93 % for RFA & EVLA. |
Ulcer patients (C6) whose stockings and wound care fail | Lowers ambulatory venous pressure, speeds healing | Ulcer-free rate at 6 mo↑ by 67 % vs compression alone (EVRA trial) |
Pregnancy-completed women suffering new varicose veins | Procedure avoids general anesthesia; fertility unaffected | Recurrence < 8 % at 5 yr with EVLA |
Occupational standers (surgeons, teachers, retail) with leg fatigue | Symptom relief improves work productivity | VCSS scores drop 7–9 points. |
Contra-indications: uncontrolled DVT, severe peripheral arterial disease (ABI < 0.5), pregnancy, untreated infection, or inability to ambulate.
Modality | Energy / Agent | Best For | Key Pros | Considerations |
---|---|---|---|---|
Radiofrequency (RFA) | 120 °C bipolar heat | GSV, SSV ≤ 2 cm | Least bruising, mild post-op pain | Catheter cost ↑ |
Endovenous Laser (EVLA) | 1470 nm radial fiber heat | Tortuous or larger (> 2 cm) veins | Occlusion > 94 %, reusable fiber options | More post-op stiffness |
Mechanochemical (MOCA) | Rotating wire + sclerosant | Nerve-adjacent segments (below knee) | No tumescent injections | Long-term data < 10 yr |
Cyanoacrylate Glue | Medical adhesive | Needle-phobic or anticoagulated pts | No compression stockings | Rare allergic phlebitis |
Thermal ablations remain the workhorse, but non-thermal/non-tumescent (NTNT) techniques gain popularity for patients who dislike multiple tumescent injections.
Total room time averages 20–35 minutes, and most patients report pain < 3/10 on the first day.
Endpoint | 1 Month | 1 Year | 3–5 Years |
---|---|---|---|
Vein-occlusion (RFA) | 98 % | 93 % | 88–90 % |
Vein-occlusion (EVLA) | 98 % | 94 % | 90–92 % |
Recanalization requiring retreatment | — | 5–7 % | 8–12 % |
Symptomatic DVT | 0.4 % | 0.4 % | — |
Thrombus extension into deep system (EHIT II–III) | 0.8 % | 0.8 % | — |
Return-to-work time | 0.7 days | — | — |
Phlebitis, ecchymosis, and transient numbness (saphenous-nerve irritation) remain the most common minor events, each ≤ 8 % and usually self-limited.
Specialist | Core Role |
---|---|
Vascular Surgeon or Interventional Radiologist | Performs EVA, manages complications |
Phlebologist / Vein Specialist | Office evaluation, duplex scanning, compression therapy |
Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT) | Pre- and post-procedure duplex imaging |
Dermatologist / Wound Nurse | Treats venous stasis dermatitis or ulcers |
Primary-Care Physician | Coordinates risk-factor control (weight, smoking, BP) |
Anesthesiologist or CRNA | Rarely needed, but may provide minimal-sedation protocols |
Cross-training and dedicated vein centers have streamlined same-day work-ups, reducing patient touch-points and overall costs.
Item | National Average Charge* | Typical Out-of-Pocket (80 % plan) |
---|---|---|
Single-leg RFA/EVLA | $4,200 | $840 |
Bilateral EVLA | $6,800 | $1,360 |
Glue or MOCA premium | +$600–$800 | Varies |
Great-saphenous stripping (OR) | $7,500 | $1,500 |
*Outpatient prospective-payment system (OPPS) data; office-based labs bill 15 %–25 % less. Nearly all major U.S. insurers and Medicare pay for EVA when duplex documents reflux ≥ 0.5 seconds plus symptoms.
Is endovenous ablation painful?
Most feel only anesthetic pinches; post-op soreness resolves within 48 hours.
Do I need to wear stockings after glue ablation?
No—guidelines exempt glue patients; thermal techniques still benefit from 1 week of class-II stockings.
Can veins come back?
The treated segment stays closed; new varicosities may appear if additional branches fail—why follow-up duplex at 12 months matters.
What about exercise?
Walking is encouraged immediately; postpone heavy lifting (> 30 lb) for one week.
Will my insurance cover cosmetic spider-vein ablation?
No—tiny surface spiders without symptoms are deemed cosmetic; EVA targets axial reflux that drives disease.
Does EVA improve ulcer healing?
Yes—closing the reflux source accelerates ulcer closure by up to 67 % and cuts recurrence in half.