I had varicose vein surgery 4 years ago, should I still have pain while exercising?

I had varicose veins stripped from my groin to my ankle 4 years ago. I ride horses and exercise regularly. However, the leg that was treated seems to be a lot weaker. I also get quite a bit of pain along the track where my vein was stripped. Is this normal?

Answers from doctors (11)


Michael F. Gioscia, MD, FACS, ABVLM

Published on May 28, 2013

You may be having symptoms from other superficial veins that may be refluxing. Additionally, if your symptoms are below the knee and your great saphenous vein was stripped to the ankle, then there may be an injury to the saphenous nerve. Your symptoms may also be unrelated to your surgery or your veins. The only way to know the root of your problem is to see a physician whose specialty is the venous system.

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Answered by Michael F. Gioscia, MD, FACS, ABVLM

You may be having symptoms from other superficial veins that may be refluxing. Additionally, if your symptoms are below the knee and your great saphenous vein was stripped to the ankle, then there may be an injury to the saphenous nerve. Your symptoms may also be unrelated to your surgery or your veins. The only way to know the root of your problem is to see a physician whose specialty is the venous system.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Intermountain Vein Center

Published on May 23, 2013

If you had surgical stripping, then I would expect the results to be like you are describing. But, if you had ambulatory phlebectomy, then I wouldn't. With surgical stripping, it has been found that the procedure can cause new vein growth. Those new veins could be causing a lot of the problems, but I would recommend finding an interventional radiologist to talk to and have an ultrasound done at the clinic.

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Answered by Intermountain Vein Center

If you had surgical stripping, then I would expect the results to be like you are describing. But, if you had ambulatory phlebectomy, then I wouldn't. With surgical stripping, it has been found that the procedure can cause new vein growth. Those new veins could be causing a lot of the problems, but I would recommend finding an interventional radiologist to talk to and have an ultrasound done at the clinic.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Americas Vein Centers - Southborough

Published on May 22, 2013

I would recommend that you get evaluated.

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Answered by Americas Vein Centers - Southborough

I would recommend that you get evaluated.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


The Sheen Vein Institute

Published on May 21, 2013

Simply put, the pain in your leg is not normal. Based on your question, it sounds like you had your great saphenous vein stripped out 4 years ago. The problem with this practice can be two fold. First off, stripping that vein out can cause the growth of new vein structure in the distribution of where that vein originally existed. This is a phenomenon called REVAS. People typically notice these new veins 5-10 years after stripping. The problem with this REVAS is that the veins that develop are all varicose veins. The result is a recurrence of the same problem that you had prior to the original stripping procedure. Secondly, since the great saphenous vein is not the only vein in the body that is abnormal or dysfunctional in the average person suffering from vein disease, purely treating that vein will not fix the problem. You need to have all aspects of your abnormal vein structure addressed in order to successfully treat the discomfort and issues that you are describing. I would seek out a highly qualified doc who only does veins and one who is able to address all aspects of your vein structure, not just one or two veins.

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Answered by The Sheen Vein Institute

Simply put, the pain in your leg is not normal. Based on your question, it sounds like you had your great saphenous vein stripped out 4 years ago. The problem with this practice can be two fold. First off, stripping that vein out can cause the growth of new vein structure in the distribution of where that vein originally existed. This is a phenomenon called REVAS. People typically notice these new veins 5-10 years after stripping. The problem with this REVAS is that the veins that develop are all varicose veins. The result is a recurrence of the same problem that you had prior to the original stripping procedure. Secondly, since the great saphenous vein is not the only vein in the body that is abnormal or dysfunctional in the average person suffering from vein disease, purely treating that vein will not fix the problem. You need to have all aspects of your abnormal vein structure addressed in order to successfully treat the discomfort and issues that you are describing. I would seek out a highly qualified doc who only does veins and one who is able to address all aspects of your vein structure, not just one or two veins.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


General Vascular Surgery Group

Published on May 20, 2013

Pain usually is not present four years after varicose vein surgery. However, the nerves can get scarred or injured. See your MD.

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Answered by General Vascular Surgery Group

Pain usually is not present four years after varicose vein surgery. However, the nerves can get scarred or injured. See your MD.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Laser Vein Center

Published on May 20, 2013

Yes, it is unusual for the leg that was treated to be a lot weaker and painful years after vein surgery. I would follow up with your surgeon and see if he can explain why this is.

Answered by Laser Vein Center (View Profile)

Yes, it is unusual for the leg that was treated to be a lot weaker and painful years after vein surgery. I would follow up with your surgeon and see if he can explain why this is.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Advanced Vein Center

Published on May 20, 2013

It is not normal to have weakness and pain 4 years after vein stripping. There is no immediate reason to assume that the two are related. Nonetheless, it would be a good idea to have your leg evaluated by a medical professional. Since you have a known history of venous reflux disease, a thorough ultrasound evaluation, including provocative physiologic testing, would be reasonable. A physical exam from your primary care physician and a neurologic evaluation might also make sense. In any case, don't just accept this as a normal consequence of vein stripping surgery. Please have yourself checked.

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Answered by Advanced Vein Center

It is not normal to have weakness and pain 4 years after vein stripping. There is no immediate reason to assume that the two are related. Nonetheless, it would be a good idea to have your leg evaluated by a medical professional. Since you have a known history of venous reflux disease, a thorough ultrasound evaluation, including provocative physiologic testing, would be reasonable. A physical exam from your primary care physician and a neurologic evaluation might also make sense. In any case, don't just accept this as a normal consequence of vein stripping surgery. Please have yourself checked.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Clinic of North Carolina

Published on May 20, 2013

A lot of things could change in 4 years. Once you have the tendency to have varicose vein problems, other veins can develop problems too. I would recommend a consultation to check your legs.

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Answered by Vein Clinic of North Carolina

A lot of things could change in 4 years. Once you have the tendency to have varicose vein problems, other veins can develop problems too. I would recommend a consultation to check your legs.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Arizona Vein Specialists

Published on May 20, 2013

After 4 years, pain is not normal and neither is weakness. Have a doctor examine you. You might have a radiculopathy.

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Answered by Arizona Vein Specialists

After 4 years, pain is not normal and neither is weakness. Have a doctor examine you. You might have a radiculopathy.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

Published on May 20, 2013

Vein stripping can remain somewhat painful or the problem can recur. See a vein specialist.

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Answered by Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

Vein stripping can remain somewhat painful or the problem can recur. See a vein specialist.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on May 20, 2013

You should not still have pain 4 years after vein stripping. You may have had an injury to the saphenous nerve, which can run very closely to the saphenous vein. This would usually cause numbness along the course of the nerve, especially around the inner calf and ankle. It is a superficial nerve and should have nothing to do with the strength of your leg. You should follow up with either the original surgeon, or perhaps see a neurologist.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

You should not still have pain 4 years after vein stripping. You may have had an injury to the saphenous nerve, which can run very closely to the saphenous vein. This would usually cause numbness along the course of the nerve, especially around the inner calf and ankle. It is a superficial nerve and should have nothing to do with the strength of your leg. You should follow up with either the original surgeon, or perhaps see a neurologist.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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