Back to the guide
PathwayDraft: not yet reviewed by the clinical team

Varicose vein treatment

Varicose veins happen when tiny valves in a leg vein leak and the vein stretches. In this treatment, the team numbs your leg and uses a thin tube to heat the leaky vein from the inside, so it seals shut. You stay awake and most people go home the same day.

The short version

  1. Varicose veins happen when tiny one-way valves in a leg vein leak, so blood falls back down and the vein stretches and bulges.
  2. In this treatment, the team numbs your leg and uses ultrasound to slide a thin tube into the leaky vein, then heats it from the inside so it seals shut.
  3. Your blood simply takes other, healthy veins back to your heart, and most people walk out and go home the same day.
  4. Wear your stocking, walk every day, and call if your leg gets very swollen or painful, because a small number of people get a blood clot.

When to get help

Call 9-1-1 now if you have:
  • Sudden chest pain with shortness of breath
  • Severe trouble breathing
  • Coughing up blood
  • Fainting (passing out)
Call the interventional radiology (IR) team today if you have:
  • Pain, swelling or tenderness in your calf, behind your knee, or in your thigh or groin (this can be a blood clot)
  • Your leg, calf, foot or groin swells
  • The skin of your leg turns red, purple or dark
  • Pain that does not get better after you take pain medicine
  • Bleeding from the small opening where the tube went in
  • A leg, foot or toes that are cold, pale, blue, numb or tingly
  • More redness, warmth or swelling around the treated area
  • Red streaks or pus coming from the treated area
  • A fever
  • A tender lump in your leg

IR team phone: added by the hospital before launch After hours, or if you can’t reach them: go to the nearest emergency department.

Not sure? Call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1, any time, day or night. You are not sure if something is normal Questions about your stocking, walking or medicines when your team is closed Non-urgent health advice from a nurse or other health professional

Read the full guide

Open the full guide to see the procedure step by step, what to expect before and after, and questions to ask your doctor.

Web address: added before launch

QR code Added once the site has its final address

General information, not medical advice. Your care team knows your situation and makes decisions with you.

Pathway P-009 · Vein ablation handout · Version 0.5 · 14 October 2026 · Draft