PITTSBURGH -- Millions of Americans suffer from varicose veins, which can cause aching legs.

Some people have a hard time finding relief from the pain. But a new treatment could help, and it's available in the Pittsburgh area.

Channel 4 Action News anchor Michelle Wright reported that the procedure not only decreases pain, it can be done in a doctor's office in just a few minutes.

The procedure is also so simple, patients don't have to be put under. A topical anesthetic is all that's needed and patients can drive themselves home or head right back to work, Wright reported.

Joseph Speranza is a patient at the Pittsburgh Vein Center. He owns his own auto mechanic business in Wilmerding, and he said the pain from varicose veins was slowing him down.

"It was hard to walk on. And when I got home, I'd have to put my feet up in the air because it hurt that much," Speranza said.

Dr. Mario Plaza-Ponte, of the Pittsburgh Vein Center, said that varicose veins happen when blood flows in the wrong direction.

"Basically (it's) an abnormality in the valve of the vein," Plaza-Ponte said.

Plaza-Ponte said when the valve goes bad and doesn't close properly the blood doesn't flow back up to the heart. Instead, it goes down toward the feet.

The condition can be caused by heredity, pregnancy or just if someone is on their feet a lot.

To prevent varicose veins, Plaza-Ponte said people should get a lot of exercise. Walking is especially good to prevent the condition.

If you're on your feet a lot, or travel often, wear compression stockings.

Plaza-Ponte has been a surgeon in Pittsburgh for 30 years and said a lot has improved when it comes to treating varicose veins.

He now uses a device that uses heat from radio frequency technology to close the vein and allows the blood to be redirected through normal veins flowing back to the heart.

He said a computer controls heat up the metal segment of a catheter to 120 degrees Celsius.

"That temperature changes the connective tissue and it shrinks the vein and closes the vein instantly," Plaza-Ponte said.

Three to five minutes later, the procedure is finished, allowing patients such as Speranza to get back on his feet.

"Being that I'm self-employed and I need to not take time off, this works out great," Speranza said.

Plaza-Ponte said the veins are more unsightly and painful than they are dangerous, but if left untreated they can cause health problems including ulcers and clots.

He said 10 to 20 million people suffer from them and this procedure could help.

Varicose veins are not vital vessels. Once closed off, the blood will just start flowing back up to the heart through a working vein and the risks with this procedure are minimal, Wright reported.

The procedure costs a few hundred dollars, but is usually covered by insurance.

However, insurance companies often want patients to try to exercise and wear compression stockings first to see if vein problems can be corrected without going in for treatment.

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