ClariVein Vein Treatment
Heavy, aching or swollen legs and bulging veins often start with one leaking vein. ClariVein® closes that vein without heat or surgery, through a single tiny puncture and usually just one numbing shot. Most people walk out and return to their normal routine the same day. At MVM Health, our vein specialists check your veins with ultrasound and build a plan that fits your symptoms, health and goals.
Book a visit with a vein specialist at one of our clinics in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio and Arizona.
- Board-Certified Physicians
- Care Across Multiple Specialties
Meet Our Expert Team
Board Certified Expert
At MVM Health — Movement. Vitality. Medicine. — we are committed to providing exceptional pain, vein, and wellness services that empower individuals to reclaim their health and well-being. With our team of Harvard-trained experts, we strive to deliver transformative outcomes that restore comfort, confidence, and quality of life. MVM Health’s mission is to help every patient relieve discomfort, restore motion, and renew life.
Vwaire Orhurhu, MD, MPH
Harvard Medical School
Mariam Salisu, MD, MPH
Harvard Medical School
Peter Isaac, DO
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Ali Amin, MD
Baylor College of Medicine
THOMAS KHOURY, MD
Harvard Medical School
ANTHONY TURNER, MD
Yale School of Medicine
KIRAN C. TAMIRISA
Baylor College of Medicine
TARIQ ALFARRA, DO
JOHNS HOPKINS HOSPITAL
Rishi Sheth, MD
University of Miami School of Medicine
Henry Onyeaka, MD, MPH
Harvard Medical School
Felicia Todd, CNP
Moravian College
Carrie Ward, CNP
Franklin University
Kruti Solanki, CNP
Drexel University
Christy Daniels, CNP
Chamberlain University
Heerina Kittel, CNP
Maryville University
Vic Urbano, CNP
Walden University
Jameela Azeem, CNP
Hofstra University
Vwaire Orhurhu, MD, MPH
Harvard Medical School
Mariam Salisu, MD, MPH
Harvard Medical School
Peter Isaac, DO
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Ali Amin, MD
Baylor College of Medicine
THOMAS KHOURY, MD
Harvard Medical School
ANTHONY TURNER, MD
Yale School of Medicine
KIRAN C. TAMIRISA
Baylor College of Medicine
Rishi Seth, MD
University of Miami School of Medicine
Henry Onyeaka, MD, MPH
Harvard Medical School
Felicia Todd, CNP
Moravian College
Vic Urbano, CNP
Walden University
Jameela Azeem, CNP
Hofstra University
We work with a wide variety of insurance providers
and 100+ more
What Is ClariVein?
ClariVein® is an in-office treatment for varicose veins caused by a leaking surface vein. Instead of laser or radiofrequency heat, it uses a thin catheter with a spinning wire tip and a vein-closing medicine. This approach is called mechanochemical ablation (MOCA), and the device has been used in the U.S. since 2008.
Healthy leg veins have one-way valves that keep blood moving up toward the heart. When those valves weaken, blood slips backward and pools in the lower leg. This is called venous insufficiency, and it’s often the hidden cause behind bulging veins and tired legs. ClariVein closes the leaking vein, so blood flows through healthier veins instead.
What Does ClariVein Treat?
ClariVein targets larger veins under the skin where reflux usually starts. Your specialist may recommend it for:
Leaking Saphenous Veins
Faulty great, small or accessory saphenous veins, the main surface veins behind most varicose veins, confirmed on ultrasound.
Veins Below the Knee
Vein segments near nerves in the calf and ankle, where heat-based treatment carries more risk of nerve irritation.
Heavy, Swollen Legs
Leg heaviness, aching and swelling caused by blood pooling in the lower legs, often worse at the end of the day.
Venous Insufficiency
Poor blood return due to weak vein valves, which can lead to skin changes over time if it isn’t treated.
Small spider veins are treated with sclerotherapy instead.
Are You a Candidate for ClariVein?
ClariVein may suit many adults with vein reflux, but your specialist will confirm this after an examination and ultrasound. If several signs on the left apply to you, schedule an evaluation to explore your treatment options.
If you checked a few on the left, a vein ultrasound can show whether ClariVein or another option will work best for you.
ClariVein may suit you if:
- Ultrasound shows reflux in a great, small or accessory saphenous vein
- The leaking vein runs below the knee or close to a nerve
- You'd prefer to avoid the many numbing injections used with heat treatments
- Heat-based treatment isn't a good option for you
- You want a fast return to work and daily life
Talk to your provider first if you:
- Can't walk on your own after treatment
- Can't wear compression stockings
- Have a skin infection or an active blood clot in the leg
Benefits of ClariVein
No Heat Near Nerves
Without heat, there’s very little risk of nerve or skin burn injury, which makes it useful for veins in the lower calf.
One Numbing Shot
Heat treatments need numbing fluid along the whole vein. ClariVein usually needs only one shot at the entry point.
Less Discomfort
Many patients report less discomfort during treatment and less bruising afterward than with heat-based options.
Fast Return to Routine
Most people walk out and return to work and daily activities the same day or the next day.
When to Consider ClariVein
Book a vein evaluation if leg heaviness, aching or swelling keeps coming back, gets in the way of work, sleep or exercise, or if bulging veins are getting larger. Earlier treatment can help keep vein disease from progressing to skin changes or ulcers.
Get care right away if one leg suddenly becomes swollen, painful, warm or red. Call 911 for sudden shortness of breath or chest pain.
Not sure which vein treatment is right for you? Book a vein evaluation.
Before Your ClariVein Treatment
Every ClariVein treatment at MVM Health starts with a full evaluation, so your specialist can confirm it’s the right choice for your veins.
STEP 1 · YOUR VISIT
Your specialist reviews your symptoms and health history. Let us know about blood thinners, allergies, pregnancy and any past blood clots.
STEP 2 · DUPLEX ULTRASOUND
A painless ultrasound maps your leg veins, shows which ones are leaking and checks where the vein runs near nerves.
STEP 3. Plan and Coverage
Your specialist explains whether ClariVein or another option fits best. Our team checks your insurance, including any prior authorization.
ClariVein vs. RFA, Laser and VenaSeal
Radiofrequency ablation and laser ablation seal veins with heat and need numbing fluid injected along the whole vein. ClariVein needs no heat and usually only one numbing shot, so patients often report less discomfort during treatment.
In the first year, ClariVein closes veins about as well as heat-based treatments. Over longer follow-up, though, studies show more treated veins reopen after ClariVein than after radiofrequency or laser ablation. For that reason, the American Vein and Lymphatic Society describes ClariVein as a good option for people who are not well suited to heat treatment. VenaSeal is another non-heat choice. Your provider will help you weigh comfort, vein location and long-term results.
| Feature | ClariVein | RFA | Laser Ablation | VenaSeal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How it closes the vein | Spinning wire + medicine | Heat | Heat | Medical adhesive |
| Numbing | Usually one shot | Along the whole vein | Along the whole vein | Usually one shot |
| Near nerves (below knee) | Well suited | More caution | More caution | Well suited |
| Long-term closure | Good, but more reopening over time | Very high | Very high | High |
| Compression after | Often | Usually | Usually | Often not needed |
| Return to routine | Same or next day | About 1 day | About 1 day | Often same day |
NOT SURE WHICH TREATMENT IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Bulging surface veins left after any of these treatments can be cleared with sclerotherapy or ambulatory phlebectomy.
Advanced Vein Treatments for Healthier, More Confident Legs
We offer minimally invasive, proven treatments to relieve symptoms, improve circulation, and restore the appearance of your legs. Our vein specialists create personalized treatment plans designed around your unique needs and goals.
A rotating wire and medicine seal leaking veins without heat. Back to routine in a day.
A proven treatment to close spider and small varicose veins with minimal downtime.
Advanced laser therapy to close diseased veins and restore healthy blood flow.
A minimally invasive option to treat larger veins with long-lasting results.
A non-thermal, non-tumescent treatment that uses medical adhesive to close veins.
Bulging veins removed through tiny nicks. Walk out the same day.
Recovery After ClariVein
Most people go back to work and daily routines the same day or the next day. These steps help you heal comfortably:
Walk right after treatment and several times a day to keep blood moving through your healthy veins.
Wear compression stockings if your provider fits you with them, for as long as your care team advises.
Expect mild tenderness, tightness or bruising along the vein, which usually fades within a week or two.
Keep your follow-up ultrasound, which checks that the vein has closed and the deep veins are clear.
How ClariVein Works
ClariVein is an in-office procedure done through a single tiny puncture, with no heat, incisions or stitches. The catheter is about the width of a thin needle, and the treatment itself often takes 15 to 30 minutes. Your provider will describe the exact technique used in your case. In general, it follows four steps:
1
Numb One Spot Ultrasound maps the leaking vein, then one small spot on the leg is numbed with a single shot.
2
Place the Catheter Guided by ultrasound, the thin catheter enters the vein and is positioned just short of the deep veins.
3
Spin and Treat The wire tip spins to gently roughen the vein wall while medicine is released as the catheter is slowly withdrawn.
4
Blood Reroutes The vein tightens and closes. Over the next few months, it turns to scar tissue and blood uses healthier veins.
FIND AN RFA VEIN SPECIALIST NEAR YOU
Book a visit with a vein specialist near you to see whether radiofrequency ablation is right for you. Our clinics are in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio and Arizona.
ClariVein Myths, Answered
A few common beliefs keep people from getting help. Here’s what’s actually true:
MYTH
ClariVein is the same as sclerotherapy.
FACT
Both use a vein-closing medicine, but ClariVein adds a spinning wire inside a larger vein so the medicine works deeper.
MYTH
No heat means it doesn't work as well.
FACT
ClariVein closes veins about as well as heat in the first year. More veins can reopen later, and those can be retreated.
MYTH
The spinning wire is painful
FACT
Most people feel only a light buzzing or vibration. A brief catch on a valve can feel sharp for a moment.
MYTH
ClariVein treats spider veins.
FACT
ClariVein treats larger leaking veins. Small spider veins are treated with sclerotherapy, often after ClariVein.
ClariVein Side Effects and Risks
Most side effects are mild and temporary. Because no heat is used, nerve and skin burn injuries are very rare.
Call 911 for sudden shortness of breath or chest pain. Contact us the same day for new calf swelling, pain, warmth or redness.
More common, temporary:
- Bruising or tenderness at the entry site
- A sore, firm cord along the vein (phlebitis)
- Brown skin staining over the treated vein
- A brief pulling or catching feeling during treatment if the wire meets a valve
Less common:
- The treated vein reopening over time
- Skin infection at the entry site (rare)
- Allergic reaction to the medicine (rare)
- Blood clot in a deep vein (rare)
Frequently Asked Questions
Most people feel a brief sting from the single numbing shot, then a light buzzing or vibration. Occasionally the wire catches on a valve, which can cause a short, sharp feeling.
The treatment itself often takes 15 to 30 minutes. Plan for a longer visit to allow for ultrasound mapping, preparation and a short rest before you go home.
Most people return to work and daily routines the same day or the next day. Mild tenderness or bruising along the vein can last a week or two.
No. Both use a vein-closing medicine, but ClariVein adds a spinning wire inside a larger vein so the medicine works deeper. Sclerotherapy uses small injections for spider and small surface veins.
ClariVein is often more comfortable during treatment, but more veins reopen over time than with RFA. It’s a strong choice when heat isn’t ideal, such as near nerves below the knee.
Yes. Because it uses no heat, ClariVein is often chosen for veins near nerves in the lower calf and ankle.
Many providers recommend them for a short time to ease tenderness and support healing. Your care team will tell you if and how long to wear them.
This happens more often with ClariVein than with heat treatments. If symptoms return, a repeat ultrasound can show the cause, and the vein can usually be treated again.
Tell your provider about any past reactions. If you’re allergic, another option such as radiofrequency ablation or VenaSeal may be recommended.
Many plans may cover it when it’s medically necessary, based on your symptoms and ultrasound findings. Some require prior authorization. Our team checks your benefits before your visit.
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