I had EVLT nearly 2 yrs ago on my left GSV. I now have pain & swelling in my left calf. Why?

Could my surgeon have performed surgery on the wrong vein, or has it reopened or do I now have a new insuff.? I am 44, active, slender, healthy, and lately my left calf has begun to swell toward the end of the day. It causes brief stabbing pain occasionally.

Answers from doctors (9)


Atlanta Access Care Vascular and Interventional Specialists

Published on Mar 12, 2011

Re-opening of a vein treated with EVLT is very uncommon, but you could have insufficiency in another vein. The best way to determine this is with an ultrasound. Treatment options would depend upon the findings of the ultrasound.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/1030_1408044085.jpg
Answered by Atlanta Access Care Vascular and Interventional Specialists

Re-opening of a vein treated with EVLT is very uncommon, but you could have insufficiency in another vein. The best way to determine this is with an ultrasound. Treatment options would depend upon the findings of the ultrasound.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


VeinCare Centers of Tennessee

Published on Mar 12, 2011

You need a clinical evaluation and a color duplex ultrasound exam to answer your question. Failure of valves in other veins with new areas of venous insufficiency is likely. Venous thrombosis is another possibility. We develop venous insufficiency mostly due to our genetic makeup which affects the strength of the vein walls. The conservative measures including exercise, avoidance of obesity, avoidance of prolonged sitting or standing, periodic elevation of the legs, and routine daily use of support hose slow down the action of gravity upon our veins, but venous insufficiency is a chronic, progressive problem which requires re-evaluation from time to time.
Stephen F. Daugherty, MD, FACS, RVT, RPhS

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/755_1499906765.jpg
Answered by VeinCare Centers of Tennessee

You need a clinical evaluation and a color duplex ultrasound exam to answer your question. Failure of valves in other veins with new areas of venous insufficiency is likely. Venous thrombosis is another possibility. We develop venous insufficiency mostly due to our genetic makeup which affects the strength of the vein walls. The conservative measures including exercise, avoidance of obesity, avoidance of prolonged sitting or standing, periodic elevation of the legs, and routine daily use of support hose slow down the action of gravity upon our veins, but venous insufficiency is a chronic, progressive problem which requires re-evaluation from time to time.
Stephen F. Daugherty, MD, FACS, RVT, RPhS

Published on Jul 11, 2012


General Vascular Surgery Group

Published on Mar 11, 2011

A new vein can open or the treated vein can rarely reopen as well. See your provider a repeat ultrasound to sort this out is probably in order.
Michael Ingegno MD

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/922_1408044082.jpg
Answered by General Vascular Surgery Group

A new vein can open or the treated vein can rarely reopen as well. See your provider a repeat ultrasound to sort this out is probably in order.
Michael Ingegno MD

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Angelo N. Makris MD

Published on Mar 11, 2011

You need a venous duplex to assess if you have a recurrence.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/977_1408044083.jpg
Answered by Angelo N. Makris MD

You need a venous duplex to assess if you have a recurrence.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Heart and Vein Center

Published on Mar 11, 2011

Many reasons can explain that now you have symptoms again.
I seriously doubt your doctor treated the "wrong" vein. However some patients can have a duplicate GSV that now is reponsible of the symptoms. It is possible that the GSV recanalized (re-opened). You couls certainly have other abnormal veins in the calf that need to be treated. This just to mention few.
You will need a new Doppler study and a re-evaluation.
Dr Farhy

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/923_1408044082.jpg
Answered by Heart and Vein Center

Many reasons can explain that now you have symptoms again.
I seriously doubt your doctor treated the "wrong" vein. However some patients can have a duplicate GSV that now is reponsible of the symptoms. It is possible that the GSV recanalized (re-opened). You couls certainly have other abnormal veins in the calf that need to be treated. This just to mention few.
You will need a new Doppler study and a re-evaluation.
Dr Farhy

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Bella MD Laser Vein and Aesthetic Center

Published on Mar 11, 2011

See a vein specialist in person. Can not tell from description.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/772_1408044077.jpg
Answered by Bella MD Laser Vein and Aesthetic Center

See a vein specialist in person. Can not tell from description.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Mar 11, 2011

There are many reasons for pain and swelling in the calf. I would recommend seeing your treating physician and repeating the venous ultrasound of your left leg to look for a possible cause of your problem.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/1053_1499982262.jpg
Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

There are many reasons for pain and swelling in the calf. I would recommend seeing your treating physician and repeating the venous ultrasound of your left leg to look for a possible cause of your problem.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Mar 11, 2011

You should have a re-evaluation and ultrasound. Have you been checked for a blood clot, ER?

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/623_1499902138.jpg
Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

You should have a re-evaluation and ultrasound. Have you been checked for a blood clot, ER?

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Bailey Vein Institute

Published on Mar 11, 2011

You probably have recurrent venous insufficiency. Visit your vein doctor
and you will need a new venous duplex ultrasound study. It is unlikely that
your Doctor treated the wrong vein, but sometimes veins can reopen or new
veins can become insufficient. Hope this helps.

Colin E. Bailey, MD, FACS

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/1215_1412366796.jpg
Answered by Bailey Vein Institute

You probably have recurrent venous insufficiency. Visit your vein doctor
and you will need a new venous duplex ultrasound study. It is unlikely that
your Doctor treated the wrong vein, but sometimes veins can reopen or new
veins can become insufficient. Hope this helps.

Colin E. Bailey, MD, FACS

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Related Questions for Endovenous Laser Ablation

Endovenous Laser Ablation -10 answers
I had EVLT about 10 days ago , now I have a big knot on my inner thigh and when I touch it, it still hurts , I had a lot of pain the day after the surgery and I couldn't bend my leg. Is this normal?
See More
Endovenous Laser Ablation -8 answers
If I have had large vessels such as the saphenous closed, is there chance of circulatory problems later on?
See More
Endovenous Laser Ablation -9 answers
Can you please detail some of the restrictions after EVLT?
See More
Endovenous Laser Ablation -10 answers
I am just over 2 weeks post EVLT and still have pain. As long as I take an anti-inflammatory the pain subsides. Visually the inner thigh looks good. How much longer will the pain last?
See More
Endovenous Laser Ablation -8 answers
It has been a week since my EVLT procedure, and I am wondering if I should continue wearing the compression stocking?
See More
Endovenous Laser Ablation -11 answers
I had swelling in my left foot and my doctor confirmed that the valves in two of my veins were not working properly. I had these veins closed with endovenous laser ablation, but four weeks later I still have swelling in my foot that doesn't go away. Is this normal?
See More
Endovenous Laser Ablation -10 answers
I have burning pain at my incision site 3 weeks after endovenous laser ablation. It isn't constant, just when it is touched or rubbed. Could this be nerve damage or a hair follicle that is irritated from the incision?
See More
Endovenous Laser Ablation -6 answers
I had endovenous laser treatment and sclerotherapy performed on both the greater and lessor saphenous veins of my legs. It was done on the same day. After a couple of weeks I started feeling numbness and tingling in my legs, mostly below the knee and through my feet. Will the feelings ever go away?
See More
Get answers from our experienced doctors.
How it works
Endovenous Laser Ablation -6 answers
Or does the treatment permanently remove them?
See More
Endovenous Laser Ablation -5 answers
I had EVLT done about three months ago..right after the EVLT procedure i started feeling weird sensations in my ankle and now the pain seems to get worse every day? Could this pain be associated with the procedure?
See More
Endovenous Laser Ablation -6 answers
I am about two months into treatment for chronic venous insufficiency? I have had laser ablation and foam sclerotherapy with very little results. Can anything be done to treat lipodermatosclerosis after the veins are treated. I wear compression hose.
See More
Endovenous Laser Ablation -13 answers
I had my GSV ablation done 13 days ago and still have intense pain in a segment on the inner thigh just above the knee. Is this level of pain normal and, if so, for how long? I have to take Advil for relief, but my stomach is sensitive to NSAIDS.
See More
Endovenous Laser Ablation -9 answers
I've heard that ELA can result in deep vein thrombosis. Is this true, and how common is this complication? Is there any way to prevent it?
See More
Endovenous Laser Ablation -7 answers
EVLT 5 days ago GSV. No serious pain yet. Compression stocking to come off tomorrow, but bruising seems excessive with dark patches and tenderness to touch. I was told to use heating pad, and now I'm reading not to do that. What should I do?
See More
Endovenous Laser Ablation -5 answers
What are the side effects of drinking alcohol after my evla?
See More
Endovenous Laser Ablation -4 answers
I have sharp stabbing pains in my leg. It's very painful and the Motrin did not help. I was in tears! This went on for a couple of days. The pain is on my right leg and my left leg isn't painful at all. What could this be?
See More
Endovenous Laser Ablation -10 answers
It's been a year since my surgery and I still have bruising. Does that mean it's permanent?
See More
Endovenous Laser Ablation -12 answers
Does this procedure hurt?
See More
Get answers from our experienced doctors.
How it works

Related Articles

Have specific questions?
ASK A DOCTOR