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 The problem of varicose veins is exclusive to the humans since we walk erect. The veins are the blood vessels that bring blood back from the body to the heart. In the lower limbs there are two sets of veins, the superficial and the deep. The deep venous system consist of a main vein in the thigh called the femoral vein  , it extends from the groin the knee to become   the popliteal and continues below as the tibial vessels.

The superficial group lies  under the skin .A long vessel  starts from the upper thigh and runsalong its inner aspect to the level of the ankle this is called the long saphenous vein. There is another smaller vein which starts behind the knee joint and also extends to the ankle called the short saphenous vein.

The superficial and deep system are interconnected by multiple small vessels called perforators.

 Blood from the superficial system generally passes to the deep system through the perforators. Since the pressure of blood in the veins is low, flow is maintained by a combination of several factors 1. the valves within the veins 2. The veins are closely related to the arteries [the deep  venous system] and the pulsation in the arteries  propel the blood upwards. The third reason why  blood flows into the heart is the contractions of the muscle. Thus all these factors are necessary to prevent stagnation of blood in the veins which results in varicose veins.

Thus varicose veins develop either because the valves in the deep venous system malfunction, or the valves of  the Saphenous veins become incompetent this can also be seenin incompetence of the perforaters . In addition to this thrombosis of the deep venous system also results in varicose veins of the lower limbs producing a condition called the post thrombotic syndrome

Post thrombotic syndrome is difficult to treat.Incompetent femoral veins have been treated by implanting valves within these veins  however the results are never been satisfactory. Saphenous venous incompetence the other hand can be treated adequately.

The traditional treatment of varicose veins secondary to incompetence the saphenous vein has been stripping where the vein is actually pulled out surgically.

In recent years people started using chemicals , lasers and radiofrequency ablation probes to destroy the vein completely ensuring excellent results in varicose veins secondary to incompetence of the saphenofemoral junction

Radiofrequency ablation is performed as an outpatient. Under  local anesthesia a needle is inserted into the saphenous vein close to the ankle and a sheath inserted into the vein.  Through this the radiofrequency probe is inserted all the way down the saphenous vein ensuring that the probe is not into the femoral vein.

The radiofrequency probe is then activated and gradually pulled out of the vein. During therapy the vein is destroyed through the sheath that is generated by the probe. Most patients are discharged after few hours. Most patient's have a dramatic recovery following the procedure.

The advantage it has over Laser is less of pain , bruising and its faster than laser.