New treatment for varicose veins

Millions of people suffer from painful and unsightly varicose veins. Treatment is usually very invasive and isn't always permanent. But now there's a new procedure that's not only more comfortable, it also gets to the root of the problem.

Doctors make a tiny incision just below the knee and thread a catheter into the saphenous vein. At the tip of the catheter is a coil of wire that emits radio waves to create heat.

When heated, the vein closes up, stopping blood flow to the varicose veins. The procedure takes just a few minutes, and there's not much down time.

The procedure, called "closure fast," is intended for patients who suffer pain from their varicose veins and is generally covered by insurance. Because closure fast treats the underlying cause of varicose veins, doctors say it is highly likely that they'll ever come back.