Endo-Venous Radio-Frequency Ablation (RFA) is a common treatment for varicose veins. This is a minimally invasive treatment usually carried out under local anaesthetic, with sedation, as a day-procedure. It works by closing the main incompetent superficial vein trunk, the great saphenous vein (GSV) in the thigh or short saphenous veins (SSV) in the calf, thus treating the cause of your varicose veins that branch off the main trunk. Under ultrasound guidance the surgeon places a small catheter inside the vein and the catheter heats and closes the vein using a safe thermal energy called radiofrequency and then the catheter is removed. Usually a temporary bandage or compression stocking is applied to the leg after treatment. The treatment will normally take only 20-30 minutes per leg and you will be able to walk out of the day-procedure unit later that day. Most patients experience only mild discomfort and return to full activity and work (if relevant) after a few days.