VenaSeal for Varicose Veins in Chicago
VenaSeal closes a leaking vein in the leg from the inside with a small amount of medical adhesive, delivered through a thin catheter under ultrasound guidance. It uses no heat, so the numbing fluid needed for heat-based treatments isn’t needed. Once the vein is closed, blood is redirected to healthier veins nearby. Dr. Nidal Elbaridi performs every procedure in the office at our South Loop and Streeterville locations.
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Workers’ Comp, HMO referral or complex insurance? Call (312) 414-1088.
Why a leg vein needs closing
Varicose veins develop when the valves that keep blood moving toward the heart stop working correctly. Blood pools inside the vessel and causes it to stretch and bulge. The underlying problem is called venous insufficiency. It is the source of both the visible veins and leg symptoms such as aching, heaviness, swelling and night cramps.
VenaSeal treats that underlying problem. It closes the great and small saphenous veins, the main surface veins of the leg, when ultrasound shows their valves are leaking. This is varicose vein treatment without surgery.
Also called
VenaSeal, the VenaSeal closure system, medical adhesive vein closure or cyanoacrylate closure. It is a non-thermal, non-sclerosant treatment: it uses neither heat nor a sclerosing medicine.
Other ways to close the same veins are radiofrequency ablation (RFA), which uses heat, and Varithena, a medicated foam.
Find out whether VenaSeal is right for your veins
Every visit starts with a venous duplex ultrasound, so treatment is matched to what is actually happening in your veins.
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Workers’ Comp, HMO referral or complex insurance? Call (312) 414-1088.
It starts with a duplex ultrasound
A visual exam alone isn’t enough. Your evaluation begins with a venous duplex ultrasound, a non-invasive study that measures blood flow direction and velocity, identifies which vessels have valve failure, and shows whether the problem starts in the deep or superficial venous system.
Dr. Elbaridi reviews your ultrasound with you and performs your procedure himself. The right approach depends on the size and location of the affected veins, the severity of venous insufficiency, and your health history. VenaSeal is one of several ways to close a vein, and the ultrasound shows which one fits.
Who VenaSeal is for
- Patients with varicose veins or venous insufficiency
- Leg pain, aching, heaviness, swelling, fatigue or cramping
- Venous reflux confirmed by duplex ultrasound
- Patients who prefer a treatment with no heat and fewer numbing injections
Dr. Elbaridi may choose VenaSeal when you would rather avoid heat and the numbing injections along the vein, or when the vein runs close to a nerve, lower in the leg, where heat could irritate it. RFA is often chosen when your insurance covers it more readily, and Varithena suits veins that twist or are hard to reach with a catheter.
Who it isn’t for
VenaSeal may not be appropriate if you:
- have a known allergy or sensitivity to the cyanoacrylate adhesive
- don’t have significant venous reflux on ultrasound
- have an active blood clot (deep vein thrombosis or superficial thrombophlebitis)
- have an active skin or soft tissue infection near the treatment area
- are pregnant (treatment is usually put off until after pregnancy)
- have symptoms mainly caused by a condition other than venous insufficiency
Not being a candidate for VenaSeal doesn’t mean vein treatment isn’t possible. RFA, Varithena, ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy or microphlebectomy may fit better.
How VenaSeal is done
Vein closure procedures (EVLT, RFA, VenaSeal and Varithena) are done under ultrasound guidance, in the office.
1. Numbing
Most patients need only local anesthetic; sedation is available if you want it, but it is rarely requested.
Because VenaSeal uses no heat, there is no tumescent anesthesia, the numbing fluid placed along the vein for RFA. Typically, only one needle stick is needed for the whole procedure.
2. The catheter
The catheter goes in through a small needle puncture in the skin, under ultrasound guidance, and is guided into the diseased vein. No incision is needed, and there are no stitches.
3. Sealing the vein
A small amount of medical adhesive is delivered into the vein, and light pressure is applied on the skin to seal the vein walls together. Blood is immediately rerouted to healthy veins.
How long it takes
The procedure itself usually takes about 20–30 minutes per leg. Plan on about an hour in the office in total, including the ultrasound mapping, preparation and your aftercare instructions.
Getting home
Most patients have VenaSeal with local anesthetic alone, drive themselves home and return to normal daily activities the same day. If sedation is used, please arrange for someone to drive you home, and plan to take the rest of the day off.
Recovery and what comes next
Walking, work and exercise
Patients walk immediately after the procedure, and most return to normal activities, including desk work, the same day. Mild bruising, tenderness or a firm feeling along the treated vein can occur and usually settles over a few weeks.
Light exercise is fine within a day or two. Running, heavy lifting and other strenuous exercise can usually resume after about a week.
Compression stockings
You’ll wear compression stockings afterward. They are usually worn during the day for about one week, and taken off at night. Dr. Elbaridi may adjust this for your procedure and recovery.
Follow-up ultrasound
A follow-up duplex ultrasound within the first week confirms the treated vein has closed and that the deep veins are healthy and free of blood clots.
What happens to the vein
The adhesive seals the vein shut, and over time the closed vein is replaced by scar tissue. Blood is redirected to healthier veins nearby. A vein that has been successfully closed usually stays closed. However, new varicose veins can develop over time if the underlying tendency toward venous insufficiency continues.
Keep moving
Compression stockings, regular movement, and periodic follow-up help manage long-term recurrence. Walking is encouraged after treatment and helps circulation. The warning signs are the same as after RFA.
Call the office if you have:
- pain that keeps increasing instead of improving
- significant swelling in the treated leg
- redness, warmth, itching or tenderness along the vein that keeps getting worse
- fever or other signs of infection
- questions about your stockings or recovery
Go to the emergency room right away if you have:
- sudden chest pain
- shortness of breath or trouble breathing
- coughing up blood
- severe leg swelling that gets worse quickly
- signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as facial swelling
Other ways we close a vein
Dr. Elbaridi performs each of these in the office. The ultrasound, and your own preferences, decide which one fits.
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
Radiofrequency heat delivered through a thin catheter closes the vein, which is gradually replaced by scar tissue.
More about vein RFA Foam injectionVarithena
A medicated foam injected through a small needle under ultrasound guidance. It fills the diseased vein and closes it, with no heat and no incision.
More about Varithena All treatmentsEVLT, sclerotherapy and microphlebectomy
Endovenous laser treatment (EVLT), ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy and microphlebectomy are covered in our varicose vein treatment guide.
Varicose vein treatment in Chicago
Dr. Nidal Elbaridi, MD
- Harvard Medical School phlebology training (2015)
- Medtronic VenaSeal and radiofrequency ablation certification (2019)
- Boston Scientific Varithena certification (2023)
Insurance and pre-authorization
Medical vein treatment is covered by most insurance when ultrasound confirms venous insufficiency. We verify benefits and pre-authorize before your procedure, so there are no surprise bills afterward. We do not charge out-of-network rates.
Most insurance accepted, including Medicare, Medicare Advantage, PPO and HMO plans. Coverage depends on medical necessity — we verify before your visit.
Before insurance approves VenaSeal
Coverage for VenaSeal varies more from plan to plan than coverage for RFA: some insurers cover it the same way, and others don’t cover it yet. Like RFA, many plans first require documented symptoms, a reflux ultrasound and a trial of compression stockings. We check your plan before you choose, and if VenaSeal isn’t covered, RFA or another covered option can usually close the same vein.
What Chicago patients say about Loop
Dr. Elbaridi and the entire team are truly exceptional. Their bedside manner and genuine care make you feel like more than just another patient…
I’ve been coming to Loop Medical Center for my vein procedures with Dr. Nidal, and I couldn’t be more impressed…
VenaSeal questions, answered
Is it really glue? Is it safe to leave in my body?
VenaSeal uses a medical-grade adhesive made for use inside veins. Only a small amount is used, and it stays inside the closed vein, which is replaced by scar tissue over time. If you have had a reaction to an adhesive before, tell Dr. Elbaridi at your evaluation.
Does VenaSeal hurt?
Most patients need only local anesthetic; sedation is available if you want it. Typically, only one needle stick is needed, and most patients feel little to no pain during the procedure.
Do I need compression stockings afterward?
Yes. You’ll wear compression stockings afterward, usually during the day for about one week.
How soon can I go back to work or the gym?
Most patients return to normal activities, including desk work, the same day. Strenuous exercise can usually resume after about a week.
Should I have VenaSeal or RFA?
Both close the same leaking veins. RFA uses radiofrequency heat and numbing fluid placed along the vein; VenaSeal uses a medical adhesive and no heat. The ultrasound, and your own preferences, decide which one fits. See VenaSeal vs. RFA for a side-by-side comparison.
Can the vein come back?
A vein that has been successfully closed usually stays closed. However, new varicose veins can develop over time if the underlying tendency toward venous insufficiency continues.
Related pages
Vein Clinic
All vein treatmentsRadiofrequency Ablation
Read moreVaricose Veins
Read moreVaricose Vein Evaluation
Read moreVaricose Vein Treatment in Chicago
Read the guideDr. Nidal Elbaridi, MD
Meet Dr. ElbaridiSouth Loop vein clinic
1921 S Michigan AveStreeterville vein clinic
432 E Grand Ave, Ste ABook your vein evaluation at Loop Medical Center
Same-week appointments at our South Loop and Streeterville locations.
Opens our secure booking calendar — this page stays open.
Workers’ Comp, HMO referral or complex insurance? Call (312) 414-1088.