• Chronic Venous Insufficiency – CVI

Varithena™

ONE INJECTION. THE VEIN CLOSES. YOUR LEGS FEEL LIGHTER.

Varithena is an FDA-approved prescription microfoam used to close diseased veins and relieve symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency. It is delivered under ultrasound guidance without surgery or stitches.

170

HOW IT WORKS

Varithena® in 4 Simple Steps

  • A quick, ultrasound-guided treatment with no surgery or stitches, usually completed in under 30 minutes.

01

Ultrasound Mapping

Ultrasound identifies the affected vein and best access point.

02

Catheter Placement

A small catheter or needle is guided into the vein.

03

Microfoam Injection

Varithena microfoam closes the vein while ultrasound monitors treatment.

04

Compression and Discharge

Compression is applied, followed by a short walk and same-day discharge.

BENEFITS

Varithena® vs Other Vein Treatments

MINIMAL INVASIVE TREATMENTS • SAME-DAY APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE • MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED
MINIMAL INVASIVE TREATMENTS • SAME-DAY APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE • MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED

Treatment options

How we treat PAD at HVLC

RECOVERY TIMELINE

What to expect after Varithena™. Most patients recover quickly and return to normal activities within days.

Recovery Timeline
DAY 0

Walk & Go Home

Walk for at least 10 minutes after treatment. Go home the same day.

DAY 1

Bandages & Compression

Keep bandages dry for 48 hours. Wear compression as directed.

WEEK 1

Avoid Heavy Exercise

Normal activity is usually fine. Avoid heavy exercise for one week.

MONTH 1

Walk Every Day

Walk at least 10 minutes daily. Avoid long periods of inactivity.

ONGOING

Follow-Up Care

Attend follow-up visits. Additional treatment may be needed.

BENEFITS

How Varithena™ helps

Closes the diseased vein

Redirects blood to healthier veins

May improve aching and heaviness

May reduce swelling and throbbing

May improve vein appearance

No incisions or stitches

PATIENT STORIES

See What Recovery Can Look Like

COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Varithena and regular foam sclerotherapy?

Both treatments use a sclerosant foam to close affected veins, but the products are prepared differently.

Varithena is an FDA-approved prescription microfoam with a standardized concentration and bubble size. Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy uses foam prepared by mixing a sclerosant medication with air or another gas in the clinic.

The most appropriate treatment depends on the location, size, and anatomy of the affected veins. In some cases, the two treatments may be used for different veins in the same patient.

No. Varithena uses prescription polidocanol microfoam to close the vein through a chemical reaction.

VenaSeal uses a medical adhesive to close the vein walls. Both procedures are delivered under ultrasound guidance but use different materials and techniques.

Dr. Kumar will recommend the most appropriate option based on your vein anatomy, symptoms, and overall health.

Most patients experience only mild discomfort when the catheter or needle is inserted, similar to a blood draw.

The foam injection itself generally causes little discomfort. Some patients notice mild pressure, warmth, or temporary cramping as the foam enters the vein.

Mild bruising, tenderness, or tightness may occur after the procedure and typically improves over time.

Medicare may cover Varithena when treatment is considered medically necessary for chronic venous insufficiency and applicable coverage requirements are met.

Coverage may depend on documented symptoms, duplex 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 discuss any authorization or out-of-pocket requirements before treatment.

Call 661-324-4100 to speak with our team about your insurance coverage.

The number of sessions depends on the number, size, and location of the affected veins.

Some patients may complete treatment in one session. Others may require an additional Varithena session or a complementary treatment, such as ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy.

Dr. Kumar will recommend a treatment plan after reviewing your ultrasound findings.

Health Resources

Expert vascular health tips

Tests & Treatments

Your Shoulder Has Hurt for Months and Nothing Has Worked. The Problem Might Be in Your Blood Vessels.

Bone and Joint Action Week runs from October 12 to 20 each year - a reminder that musculoskeletal health affects nearly every aspect of daily life. For millions of Americans, chronic shoulder pain is a daily reality that limits sleep, work, and the ability to do ordinary things.

Heart & Vascular Health

Varicose Veins Are Not Just a Cosmetic Problem. Here Is What They Are Actually Telling You.

Understanding chronic venous insufficiency and what Heart Vascular and Leg Center can do about it.

PAD AFib heart disease connection cardiovascular risk vascular specialist Bakersfield HVLC

Knee Pain & GAE

PAD, AFib, and Heart Disease: Why These Three Conditions Are More Connected Than You Think | HVLC

PAD, AFib, and heart disease share the same risk factors and significantly raise each other's risk. A vascular specialist in Bakersfield explains the connection and what it means for your care.

chronic joint pain treatment when to stop accepting it pain awareness month Bakersfield

Knee Pain & GAE

Living With Chronic Joint Pain: When Is It Time to Stop Accepting It and Start Treating It? | HVLC

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

High Cholesterol Is Not Just a Heart Problem. What It Is Doing to the Arteries in Your Legs | HVLC

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.

vascular disease awareness month September Bakersfield Kern County PAD screening heart vascular leg center

Heart & Vascular Health, PAD & Circulation

September Is Vascular Disease Awareness Month. What That Means for People in Kern County | HVLC

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 at night worse when resting what it means and how to treat it Bakersfield

Knee Pain & GAE

Knee Pain at Night: Why It Gets Worse When You Stop Moving | HVLC Bakersfield

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 | HVLC Bakersfield

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 | HVLC Bakersfield

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.

chronic knee pain management vs treatment what actually helps HVLC Bakersfield

Knee Pain & GAE

You Have Been Managing Your Knee Pain. But Are You Actually Getting Better? | HVLC Bakersfield

Pain management and pain treatment are not the same thing. If your knee still hurts after months of coping, here is what a vascular specialist in Bakersfield thinks you should know.

Vein Disease & DVT

Diabetes, Veins, and Circulation: Why Leg Health Is a Heart Issue

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

PAD 101: Start the New Year With a Circulation Screening

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

Simple Stretches That Boost Blood Flow in Minutes

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

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.

signs of poor circulation in legs PAD symptoms what to look for vascular specialist Bakersfield

PAD & Circulation

5 Signs Your Circulation Is Getting Worse (And Why Most People Miss Them) | HVLC Bakersfield

Leg heaviness, cold feet, slow-healing wounds. These are not just signs of aging. A vascular specialist in Bakersfield explains what declining circulation looks like and when to act.

Knee Pain & GAE

Arthritis Is Not Just About Your Joints. Here Is Why Your Blood Vessels Matter Too

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.

Visit us or book online

Ready to take the first step?

Office hours

Mon - Thu

8am - 6pm

Fri

8am - 5pm

Sat - Sun

Closed

Insurance

Medicare

Medicare

Most PPOs

Call us directly: 661-324-4100

Same-day appointments often available

5020 Commerce Dr

5020 Commerce Dr, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Great! We’ve received your information.

Great! We’ve received your information.