topic Re: Radiofrequency Ablation in Community Chat

Radiofrequency Ablation

timeless — Wed, 06 May 2026 15:01:57 GMT

Has anyone had this procedure for varicose veins?

If you have, will you share your experience?

I have an annoying vein that runs from my lower calf, along the back of my knee and slightly up my inner thigh.

Sitting puts pressure on that area and it's getting worse.

I'm considering this procedure, but wonder if the problem just comes back.

Re: Radiofrequency Ablation

Puzzle Piece — Wed, 06 May 2026 15:54:41 GMT

I've had it done and had results that I didn't like.

It works but then everyone is different and unique.

Re: Radiofrequency Ablation

mspemberley — Wed, 06 May 2026 23:57:24 GMT

I had this done about 11months ago on both legs. I had a difficult time with the recovery and I don't recommend the procedure. My recovery was supposed to take just a week but for me it was much longer and the initial discomfort was more painful than I anticipated. Sorry for the thumbs down, but I wouldn't do it again.

Re: Radiofrequency Ablation

Neetgal2 — Thu, 07 May 2026 01:47:41 GMT

@timeless

Is there an alternative? I go to my vascular surgeon end of June for the ultrasound of my legs. It gets done yearly. I elevate my legs nightly with a special leg pillow and wear support stockings all the way up. My legs were a tiny bit better than the previous year last time I went. I have heard the word ablation but not radio frequency. Needless to say I am not looking forward to the visit.

thanks

Re: Radiofrequency Ablation

timeless — Thu, 07 May 2026 04:10:17 GMT

@Neetgal2

Is there an alternative?

I don't know of any other procedure except for what they used to call "stripping" of the vein. (ugg!)

I haven't been to a doctor yet, so maybe there are other alternatives.

From the responses I've gotton so far on this post, Radiofrequency Ablation doesn't sound so awesome either.

It sure would be nice to know what causes this. I asked my mom (83 years old) if she knew of any family history of varicose veins and she said no.

Good luck!

Re: Radiofrequency Ablation

beach-mom — Thu, 07 May 2026 05:23:56 GMT

@Neetgal2 - I just went through this in March and April. I have a family history. My mom had hers stripped when she was in her 40's, and she was in the hospital for about a week. I don't remember her wearing any support socks or stockings after. My aunt (her twin) got them around her ankles and never had them treated. I noticed I was starting to get them around my ankles too, but I have never had problems with my feet or my legs.

That all changed right before Christmas. I got an infection in my leg, and it seems one of my major veins had wrapped around a minor one.

My family doctor gave me antibiotics . The infection cleared up, but the swelling stayed.

I saw the vein specialist in late February and he recommended this procedure right away. - on both legs. I had the first one done in March. I had to stay off my feet for 3 days, walking around every hour during waking hours for 5 minutes.

I had to wear the bandage and socks for 3 days straight. Sleeping with them was a tad uncomfortable, but I was able to sleep through the night. No shower either, which was very hard for me.

I had the second one done in April. He said it would take about 2 months to notice a difference. He did an ultrasound last week and scheduled another one in July to see if I need anything else. I still have a huge scar behind my knee on my one leg from the Ace bandage.

The hardest thing for me is wearing the socks. I'm not a "sock" person. But I have to be now! I did ask him if I had to wear them this summer in the heat at the beach. He said maybe I could wear them a little. But after I kept asking him if I could take them off to go certain places, he told me he was not going to tell me not to wear them. But at least he said it while smiling!

I talked to someone Sunday who had had the procedure, and she said she doesn't wear them in the summer.

I would talk to a vein specialist and see what they say. Good luck!

Re: Radiofrequency Ablation

Neetgal2 — Thu, 07 May 2026 11:56:06 GMT

@timeless @beach-mom

Thanks for the info! My fingers are crossed.🫰

Actually, I am so use to the stockings they do not bother me. I am 75.

Re: Radiofrequency Ablation

mspemberley — Thu, 07 May 2026 20:25:10 GMT

@beach-mom wrote:
@Neetgal2 - I just went through this in March and April. I have a family history. My mom had hers stripped when she was in her 40's, and she was in the hospital for about a week. I don't remember her wearing any support socks or stockings after. My aunt (her twin) got them around her ankles and never had them treated. I noticed I was starting to get them around my ankles too, but I have never had problems with my feet or my legs.

That all changed right before Christmas. I got an infection in my leg, and it seems one of my major veins had wrapped around a minor one.

My family doctor gave me antibiotics . The infection cleared up, but the swelling stayed.

I saw the vein specialist in late February and he recommended this procedure right away. - on both legs. I had the first one done in March. I had to stay off my feet for 3 days, walking around every hour during waking hours for 5 minutes.

I had to wear the bandage and socks for 3 days straight. Sleeping with them was a tad uncomfortable, but I was able to sleep through the night. No shower either, which was very hard for me.

I had the second one done in April. He said it would take about 2 months to notice a difference. He did an ultrasound last week and scheduled another one in July to see if I need anything else. I still have a huge scar behind my knee on my one leg from the Ace bandage.

The hardest thing for me is wearing the socks. I'm not a "sock" person. But I have to be now! I did ask him if I had to wear them this summer in the heat at the beach. He said maybe I could wear them a little. But after I kept asking him if I could take them off to go certain places, he told me he was not going to tell me not to wear them. But at least he said it while smiling!

I talked to someone Sunday who had had the procedure, and she said she doesn't wear them in the summer.

I would talk to a vein specialist and see what they say. Good luck!

@beach-mom You described the details of the recovery so well. Very accurate. I had brain fog while going through physical recovery and couldn't drive for two weeks. I also was miserable in the support hose I had to wear. They were very thick and tight. I now wear regular support hose when I'm going to be on my feet for extended periods. I owned my own business and then had a career in retail management. Both careers that I loved but I'm sure caused my problems. I was either on my feet for long hours or at a computer for long hours, neither ideal.

Re: Radiofrequency Ablation

karen burt — Sat, 09 May 2026 17:15:19 GMT

I've had it; not for vein issues but for back and shin pain. The first time it worked wonderfully and I had relief for almost 18 months. Later procedures were not successful.