A nonsurgical, injection-based treatment that uses medical foam, precisely guided by live ultrasound imaging, to close varicose veins and relieve symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency, including aching, heaviness, and swelling.
01
Ultrasound maps the affected veins and guides treatment.
02
Medical foam is injected into the target vein under ultrasound guidance.
03
The foam closes the vein, redirecting blood through healthy veins.
04
Compression is applied, followed by a short walk and same-day discharge.
What to expect after Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA). Most patients recover quickly and return to normal activities within days.
Walk soon after treatment. Go home the same day.
Take short, frequent walks. Wear compression as directed.
Ultrasound may confirm vein closure.
Less aching, heaviness, or swelling.
Stay active and keep follow-up visits.
How Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) helps
Both procedures treat diseased veins by closing them, but they use different techniques and may be better suited to different types of veins.
RFA uses a catheter placed inside the vein to deliver controlled radiofrequency energy. UGFS uses a fine needle to inject sclerosant foam into the affected vein.
UGFS may be more appropriate for veins that are twisted, small, close to the skin, or difficult to access with a catheter. The procedures may also be used together. RFA can treat the main saphenous vein, while UGFS can treat smaller tributary veins during the same or a later session.
The number of sessions depends on how many veins need to be treated and the extent of the venous disease.
Some patients may complete treatment in one session. Others with multiple affected veins may need two or more sessions scheduled several weeks apart.
Dr. Kumar will recommend an appropriate treatment plan after reviewing your ultrasound findings.
The needle used for UGFS is very fine. Most patients describe the sensation as a small scratch or brief sting, similar to a blood draw.
Once the needle is positioned inside the vein, the foam injection usually causes little discomfort. Some patients notice mild pressure, warmth, or a cool sensation as the foam enters the vein.
Most patients tolerate the procedure well, and local anesthesia is not routinely required.
Medicare may cover UGFS when it is considered medically necessary for chronic venous insufficiency and applicable coverage requirements are met.
Coverage may depend on symptoms, ultrasound findings, previous conservative treatment, and the requirements of the patient’s insurance plan. Treatment performed solely for cosmetic reasons is generally not covered.
Our team will verify your benefits and explain any authorization or out-of-pocket requirements before treatment.
Call 661-324-4100 to discuss your insurance coverage.
The treated veins begin closing after the foam is injected. Over the following weeks, the body gradually breaks down the closed veins, and they may become less visible.
Some patients begin noticing improvements in aching, heaviness, or swelling within the first few weeks. Cosmetic improvement may continue for several months.
A follow-up ultrasound may be performed approximately four to six weeks after treatment to assess the results.
Knee Pain & GAE
Most people with chronic knee or joint pain have quietly learned to live with it. A vascular specialist in Bakersfield explains why that is worth reconsidering this Pain Awareness Month.
Heart & Vascular Health, PAD & Circulation
When someone gets a high cholesterol result, the conversation almost always goes the same direction: heart disease risk, statins, diet changes, and keeping an eye on blood pressure. All of that is appropriate. But there is something consistently missing from that conversation. The same cholesterol buildup that narrows the arteries near your heart does the exact same thing to the arteries supplying your legs. And for a lot of patients managing high cholesterol, nobody has told them that.
Heart & Vascular Health, PAD & Circulation
September is Vascular Disease Awareness Month and PAD Awareness Month. Here is why that matters specifically for patients in Bakersfield and Kern County, and what a free vascular screening can tell you.
Knee Pain & GAE
Knee Pain at Night: Why It Gets Worse When You Stop Moving and What It Could Mean Most people expect joint pain to get worse during activity. Push it too hard, feel it afterward. That logic makes sense. So when knee pain is worst at night, when you are lying still, not putting any weight on it, not doing anything at all, it catches people off guard. Some assume they slept in a bad position. Others take a painkiller and try to push through. What fewer people know is that nighttime knee pain has a specific meaning. It is not random. It is telling you something about what is driving the pain, and it points directly toward a mechanism that standard treatments often miss.
Heart & Vascular Health, PAD & Circulation
What Happens to Your Legs When You Sit All Day. And Why It Matters More Than You Think sitting all day effects on leg circulation poor circulation vascular health Bakersfield Most people know that sitting too much is not great for them. They have heard it enough times. But the conversation usually stays vague, centered around back pain, posture, or burning calories. What gets far less attention is what prolonged sitting does specifically to the blood flow in your legs. And for a significant number of people, particularly those with diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of heart disease, the effects are not just discomfort. They are the early stages of a real vascular problem.
PAD & Circulation
Your Heart Gets a Lot of Attention. Your Leg Arteries Deserve the Same
chronic knee pain management vs treatment what actually helps HVLC Bakersfield
Every February, American Heart Month reminds people to take care of their arteries, watch their cholesterol, check their blood pressure, and protect their cardiovascular health.
Vein Disease & DVT
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a circulatory system problem that occurs in the deep veins of your legs. Anyone who’s developed any stage of vein disease is at risk for developing this potentially life-threatening condition, but knowing your risks will help you get medical treatment at the first sign of trouble.
Knee Pain & GAE
Arthritis Is Not Just About Your Joints. Here Is Why Your Blood Vessels Matter Too And most of the conversation this month follows the same familiar path: cartilage breakdown, joint wear, inflammation, medication, physiotherapy, and eventually surgery.
PAD & Circulation
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a circulatory system problem that occurs in the deep veins of your legs. Anyone who’s developed any stage of vein disease is at risk for developing this potentially life-threatening condition, but knowing your risks will help you get medical treatment at the first sign of trouble.
PAD & Circulation
If your days involve long hours of sitting at a desk or standing on your feet, your legs may be working overtime to keep blood moving. The good news? You don’t need a gym session—or much time—to support healthy circulation. A few simple stretches, like calf raises and ankle circles, can make a noticeable difference in just minutes.
Knee Pain & GAE
GAE vs. Knee Replacement: Understanding Where Genicular Artery Embolization Fits
Not Every Patient With Knee Arthritis Is Ready for Surgery Knee osteoarthritis can progress slowly over years. Some patients manage symptoms with exercise, medication, injections, weight loss, bracing, or physical therapy. Others eventually reach a point where knee replacement becomes the best option.
Knee Pain & GAE
Being told your knee is bone on bone does not automatically mean surgery is your only option. A vascular specialist in Bakersfield explains what it really means and what else may help.
Knee Pain & GAE
Tried cortisone shots, physio, and injections but your knee pain is still not gone? You may be missing the real source of the problem. Learn about Genicular Artery Embolization, now available in Bakersfield.
Diabetic Foot, Wounds & Limb Preservation
Diabetes quietly damages the arteries in your legs before any pain appears. Learn why diabetics in Kern County are at higher risk for PAD, and what a simple vascular check can tell you.
PAD & Circulation
If you've been told surgery is your only option for knee pain, there may be a step worth exploring first. A minimally invasive procedure targeting inflammation is now available in Bakersfield.
PAD & Circulation
Your Heart Gets a Lot of Attention. Your Leg Arteries Deserve the Same
chronic knee pain management vs treatment what actually helps HVLC Bakersfield
Every February, American Heart Month reminds people to take care of their arteries, watch their cholesterol, check their blood pressure, and protect their cardiovascular health.
Mon - Thu
8am - 6pm
Fri
8am - 5pm
Sat - Sun
Closed
Medicare
Medicare
Most PPOs
Same-day appointments often available
5020 Commerce Dr, Bakersfield, CA 93309
Advanced minimally invasive treatments for knee pain, joint pain poor circulation, vein disease and chronic pain.
Helping patients find relief without major surgery.
Follow us on: