The problems you are experiencing are probably not from the procedure, but more of an indication that there are other veins that need treatment. Have a follow-up ultrasound to see if there are veins that may need to be treated with another ablation or sclerotherapy.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

These do not sound like complications from your procedure, especially this long after treatment. Also, discoloration without tenderness and hardness does not sound like phlebitis, so visit your doctor to find out what's going on.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

What you are describing sounds unrelated to your ablation one year prior. Brown marks are pigmentation, whereas phlebitis is the actual inflammation of a vein, which is very painful to touch. You should see your primary care doctor about the blisters and pigmentation on your leg, and perhaps rule out shingles or some other type of skin condition.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

It sounds like your symptoms are serious enough to have a good-faith medical exam. See a vein specialist. This cannot be diagnosed by email.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

You should get evaluated by your primary care physician for the blisters, and a qualified vein specialist for the phlebitis.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

You should not have blisters or discoloration resulting from a closure procedure one year later. Something else is responsible for this. I would recommend a new venous ultrasound to check the closure and to look for any other sources of reflux. The reddish-brown discoloration could be venous stasis. Blistering from a venous source rarely occurs unless there is significant edema. Blistering could also be due to a non-venous reason. What you are describing does not appear to be a complication of the procedure, but it needs to be addressed. You should see a vein specialist.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Blisters and phlebitis are not normal this long after endovenous laser ablation. You should have another ultrasound and exam.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

No, the blisters and assumed phlebitis are not complications of the ELA procedure. To determine whether you do indeed have phlebitis, consult with a board-certified vein specialist. As for the blisters, this may be taken up with your primary care physician.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

They are not complications of the laser ablation. It has been too long between the procedure and your current symptoms for that to occur. What I suspect is that when you had the laser ablation performed, the doc did not treat anything else. Typically when someone has a saphenous vein issue that merits laser ablation, they also have other non-saphenous veins that are abnormal as well. They should be treated, including any reticular and spider veins. Addressing all of these potentially abnormal veins would constitute a complete treatment. My guess is your doc did not do this. The result can be a re-opening of your treated vein and the development of subsequent trapped blood within these vessels. The result can be a localized phlebitis and some bronzing discoloration. Consult with a board-certified vein specialist. You need to be reexamined and tested to determine which source veins or problems still exist.

Published on Jul 11, 2012