Innovative Foam Sclerotherapy at Long Island’s Varicose Vein Center
Sclerotherapy has been the gold standard for treating problem veins for decades. Traditional liquid sclerosants work beautifully on spider veins and small varicose veins, but larger, more tortuous veins often require something stronger. For these cases, Dr. Ninia may recommend Varithena.
Varithena is a specialized microfoam that takes the proven concept of sclerotherapy and makes it effective for veins that liquid solutions can’t adequately address. The procedure treats both your visible veins and the underlying circulation problems causing your symptoms, helping you get back to looking and feeling like yourself again.
Varithena is an FDA-approved, nonsurgical treatment for varicose veins caused by venous insufficiency of the great saphenous vein (GSV) system and other truncal veins. The procedure involves injecting a prescription foam into the diseased vein under ultrasound guidance. Once inside, the foam causes the vein walls to collapse and seal shut.
Most patients experience minimal discomfort and return to their normal activities quickly. The procedure typically takes less than an hour from start to finish.
Varithena can treat:
Varithena is a prescription microfoam that contains a mix of carbon dioxide and a low-concentration sclerosant (polidocanol). When Dr. Ninia injects the foam into your vein, it expands to fill the vessel and make direct contact with the vein walls.
This contact triggers an inflammatory response. The foam irritates the inner lining of the vein (the endothelium), causing the walls to swell, stick together, and eventually seal shut.
With the problematic vein closed off, your body recognizes it’s no longer functional and begins breaking down the vein tissue. Blood that was pooling in the diseased vein automatically reroutes through healthier vessels nearby. The visible bulging gradually diminishes, and symptoms improve as your circulation normalizes.
Varithena is performed right in our Port Jefferson office, typically in under an hour. You will be awake and comfortable the entire time and able to go home shortly after.
Dr. Ninia starts with a comprehensive ultrasound examination of your leg to map the diseased veins and plan the injection sites. This imaging shows him precisely where the microfoam needs to go for optimal results.
He then cleans and sterilizes the treatment area. You’ll receive local anesthetic at the injection site(s). The sensation is usually a mild pinch or sting that lasts only a moment.
Dr. Ninia injects the Varithena microfoam directly into the diseased vessel. You might feel slight pressure or a mild sensation as the foam enters, but most patients report minimal discomfort. In clinical trials, only 4% of patients experienced pain at the injection site.
After administering the microfoam, Dr. Ninia applies compression to your leg to help the vein walls seal together properly.
You will likely be able to resume normal activities the same day as your treatment. Keep the post-treatment compression bandages in place for 48 hours, and wear compression stockings on the treated leg for two weeks.
You will receive detailed aftercare instructions before heading home. Our team will schedule a follow‑up to check your results and make sure everything is healing smoothly.
The most common side effects after a Varithena treatment are leg pain or discomfort and injection site bruising or pain. In most cases, these reactions are completely normal and can be alleviated with leg elevation and over-the-counter pain relievers.
Most patients return to work and light activities the same day or the next day. However, you’ll want to avoid intense exercise, hot tubs, saunas, and heavy lifting for about one week after treatment.
Walking is important during recovery. Dr. Ninia recommends at least 10 minutes of walking each day for the first month. This keeps your circulation healthy and prevents blood from pooling in other veins. You should avoid sitting or standing for extended periods without movement.
When performed by an experienced physician, Varithena offers strong odds of reducing both the visible veins and the discomfort associated with them.
The FDA approval of Varithena was based on two major clinical trials — VANISH-1 and VANISH-2 — involving hundreds of patients with varicose veins. In these studies, patients treated with Varithena experienced significant improvement in both symptoms and appearance compared to those who received placebo treatments.
Varithena’s record of safety and efficacy is further supported by various real-world studies and peer-reviewed journals.
Varithena is an effective choice for many people dealing with varicose veins and their symptoms. You may be a good candidate if:
The only way to know for sure is to come in for a consultation. Dr. Ninia will perform a comprehensive evaluation to determine whether Varithena or another treatment is the best fit for your needs.
Dr. Jerry Ninia brings over 30 years of hands-on experience to every treatment. He combines world-class expertise with the personal attention and honest, down-to-earth care you’d expect from a trusted neighborhood doctor.
Asked By You, Answered By Dr. Ninia
Yes, when it’s medically necessary, which it often is. If you have symptoms like leg pain or swelling from venous reflux, most insurance plans, including Medicare, will cover the treatment. My team will verify your coverage before we schedule anything and handle the prior authorization process for you.
It’s similar in concept but more advanced. Traditional sclerotherapy uses a liquid sclerosant that works well for small veins. Varithena’s foam sclerosant spreads more evenly and stays in contact with the vein wall longer, which makes it ideal for larger, twisted, or deeper veins.
It depends on how many veins we’re treating and their location. Most patients need just one or two injection sites with Varithena. For more complex vein networks, I might need to treat a few areas during the same session.
Most of my patients say it’s very tolerable. Since Varithena doesn’t use heat like a laser vein treatment, there’s less irritation to surrounding nerves and tissue. You might feel some pressure or mild discomfort, but it’s usually brief.
It’s usually done in an hour or less. The injection process only lasts 10-15 minutes, but I like to take the time to explain everything and make sure you’re comfortable before and after. Time is also spent on ultrasound mapping to identify the best injection point(s).
Most patients achieve their goals with just one session. In the clinical trials, only about 3% of veins required retreatment. If you have particularly extensive varicose veins or multiple problem areas, we might schedule additional sessions. I’ll give you a realistic treatment plan upfront so you can plan ahead.
At the Varicose Vein Center, Dr. Jerry G. Ninia personally performs every consultation and treatment. With more than 30 years of experience in vascular medicine and a reputation as a trusted educator to other physicians in the field, he offers patients expert care without the corporate feel of chain vein clinics.
You deserve straightforward answers about your vein health and treatment options. Request your consultation today and find out if Varithena is right for you.
