Radiofrequency ablation for varicose veins in Leicester
Walk-in, walk-out keyhole treatment for varicose veins under local anaesthetic, with Mr Amro Elboushi, Consultant Vascular Surgeon, at Premier Veins Leicester.
📍 Premier Veins Leicester · 36 De Montfort Street, Leicester LE1 7GS · Free parking · No GP referral needed
Mr Amro Elboushi FRCS (Vasc)NHS Consultant Vascular SurgeonGMC 7455049Consults in English & Arabic
The treatment
What is radiofrequency ablation?
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treats varicose veins by closing the faulty vein that feeds them. A thin catheter is passed into the vein through a single needle entry, guided by ultrasound. Radiofrequency energy heats the vein wall from the inside, the vein seals shut, and your body gradually absorbs it over the following weeks and months. Blood simply returns to the heart through the healthy veins deeper in the leg.
NICE guideline CG168 recommends endothermal ablation, which includes RFA and laser ablation, as the first-line treatment for most people with varicose veins caused by reflux in the main surface veins. Published results show closure rates of around 91 to 92% at two years, with durable results at five years.
Illustrative animation of radiofrequency ablation. Not a clinical recording.
Is it right for me?
Who is RFA suitable for?
RFA is usually suitable if a duplex ultrasound scan shows reflux (blood leaking backwards) in the great saphenous vein on the inner leg or the small saphenous vein behind the calf, and you have:
heavy, aching or throbbing legs, often worse at the end of the day or at night
ankle swelling, night cramps or itching over the veins
visible bulging varicose veins
skin changes around the ankle, such as brown staining, eczema or hardening
a healed or active venous leg ulcer
If your veins are too twisted or too small for a catheter, foam sclerotherapy may suit you better. Your scan and consultation make that decision clear.
On the day
What happens during RFA
Scan and marking. The vein is mapped again with ultrasound and marked on your skin.
Local anaesthetic. A small injection numbs the skin, usually near the knee or ankle. You stay awake throughout.
Catheter placed. A thin catheter is passed into the vein through a single needle entry and guided up the leg under ultrasound.
Numbing fluid around the vein. Dilute local anaesthetic is injected along the vein to numb it and protect the surrounding tissue.
Vein sealed. The catheter heats the vein wall segment by segment as it is gently withdrawn. Most people feel only pressure or warmth.
Walk out. A small dressing goes on, you walk around, and you go home the same day. The procedure itself usually takes around an hour.
Any visible bulging branches can be removed at the same time through tiny 2 to 3 mm nicks (phlebectomy) or treated later with foam.
Recovery
Recovery after RFA
Same dayWalk out of the clinic. Walking is encouraged from the start.
Days 1 to 2Most people are back at desk work.
About 1 weekBack to more physical activity and exercise.
Weeks 2 to 3Bruising and a tight, pulling feeling along the vein settle.
If compression stockings are recommended after your procedure, NICE guideline CG168 advises wearing them for no more than seven days. Mr Elboushi will tell you what is right for you. A follow-up scan confirms the vein has closed.
Possible side effects and risks
Bruising and tenderness along the treated vein, usually settling over one to two weeks
Skin staining over the treated area, which usually fades
Inflammation or a tender cord in the treated vein (superficial thrombophlebitis)
Temporary numbness or tingling from nerve irritation
Rarely, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism; your team will discuss how this risk is reduced
New varicose veins developing over the years
Premier Veins Leicester The One Clinic, 36 De Montfort Street, Leicester LE1 7GS
Getting there Free parking · 10 minutes' walk from Leicester station · directions
Common Questions
Your questions answered
Is radiofrequency ablation painful?
It is done under local anaesthetic, so most people feel only the first injections and then pressure or warmth. Afterwards, bruising and a pulling feeling along the treated vein for two to three weeks are common and settle on their own.
How long does RFA take?
The procedure itself usually takes around an hour, and you go home the same day.
When can I go back to work after RFA?
Most people return to desk work within one to two days, and to more physical work and exercise within about a week.
Can I drive after RFA?
Most people drive again within a day or two, once they can move comfortably and make an emergency stop. Check with your insurer if you are unsure.
Do I need to wear compression stockings after RFA?
Not always. If stockings or bandages are used after treatment, NICE guideline CG168 recommends no more than seven days. Mr Elboushi will advise you based on your treatment.
Is RFA better than laser ablation (EVLA)?
Both are endothermal treatments recommended first-line by NICE, with similar closure rates. The right choice depends on your vein anatomy, and your scan guides it.
Will my varicose veins come back after RFA?
The treated vein stays closed in the large majority of people. The tendency to form varicose veins can continue, so some people develop new veins over the years; treating the underlying reflux first gives the most durable result.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can book a private consultation directly. If you are using health insurance, your insurer may ask for a GP referral and a pre-authorisation code, so check your policy first.
Book a consultation in Leicester
Your first appointment includes a consultation with Mr Elboushi and a duplex ultrasound scan, so you leave knowing exactly what is causing your symptoms and which treatment suits you. No GP referral is needed.
Author and reviewer: Mr Amro Elboushi, Consultant Vascular and Endovascular Surgeon, FRCS (Vascular Surgery), GMC 7455049. Last reviewed: September 2026. Next review due: September 2027. This page is general information and does not replace a personal consultation.