I still have pain 7 weeks after endovenous laser treatment and sclerotherapy, why is this?

I had EVLT on the saphenous vein in my thigh 7 weeks ago and schlerotherapy in my calf. I still have deep aching, burning, tightness in thigh and thrombophlebitis in my calf. Deep vein thrombosis was ruled out by blood test. The consultant I have been working with cannot explain why I am continuing to have so much pain. Do you know why this could be happening?

Answers from doctors (6)


Intermountain Vein Center

Published on Aug 26, 2013

An ultrasound is the most effective way to rule out a blood clot. Contact your treating physician and request a follow-up ultrasound and consultation. Also, make sure your physician is recommended by the American College of Phlebology.

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Answered by Intermountain Vein Center

An ultrasound is the most effective way to rule out a blood clot. Contact your treating physician and request a follow-up ultrasound and consultation. Also, make sure your physician is recommended by the American College of Phlebology.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

Published on Aug 23, 2013

The vein in your thigh is shrinking and pulling on the surrounding tissues. Try stretching exercises.

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Answered by Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

The vein in your thigh is shrinking and pulling on the surrounding tissues. Try stretching exercises.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Aug 22, 2013

I do not see this in my practice. I suggest another opinion by a vascular surgeon who performs these procedures.

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Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

I do not see this in my practice. I suggest another opinion by a vascular surgeon who performs these procedures.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


The Sheen Vein Institute

Published on Aug 22, 2013

There are a few problems with what you are describing to me. First off, I am not aware of a blood test that will rule out a DVT. The accepted standard for ruling a DVT is an ultrasound, which deeply scans the legs and allows the physician to get an in-depth look at the veins within. That said, the reason you probably have pain is because of two reasons. The source of your pain may be caused by trapped blood. Your doc may have injected into some larger vessels in the calf and they did not completely close, resulting in residual venous blood pooling in your calf and causing the phlebitis. The pain in your thigh, given that you are 7 weeks out from the EVLT, is probably due to either the saphenous vein still being open and with trapped blood, or you may have various branches trying to feed into the saphenous vein which is now closed. The result is localized inflammation in and around the treated saphenous vein, thus your pain. Unfortunately, if the doc that treated you does not know that these are common issues that can come along with vein treatments, you're better off looking for one that does. A doc who is aware of this can address it, and the pain typically resolves within a few days.

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Answered by The Sheen Vein Institute

There are a few problems with what you are describing to me. First off, I am not aware of a blood test that will rule out a DVT. The accepted standard for ruling a DVT is an ultrasound, which deeply scans the legs and allows the physician to get an in-depth look at the veins within. That said, the reason you probably have pain is because of two reasons. The source of your pain may be caused by trapped blood. Your doc may have injected into some larger vessels in the calf and they did not completely close, resulting in residual venous blood pooling in your calf and causing the phlebitis. The pain in your thigh, given that you are 7 weeks out from the EVLT, is probably due to either the saphenous vein still being open and with trapped blood, or you may have various branches trying to feed into the saphenous vein which is now closed. The result is localized inflammation in and around the treated saphenous vein, thus your pain. Unfortunately, if the doc that treated you does not know that these are common issues that can come along with vein treatments, you're better off looking for one that does. A doc who is aware of this can address it, and the pain typically resolves within a few days.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Heart and Vein Center

Published on Aug 21, 2013

The pain in the area of EVLT could be the result of too high energy of the laser and/or nerve injury. The "phlebitis" after the sclerotherapy is actually very common and the best therapy is compression stockings, anti-inflammatory medications, and exercise.

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Answered by Heart and Vein Center

The pain in the area of EVLT could be the result of too high energy of the laser and/or nerve injury. The "phlebitis" after the sclerotherapy is actually very common and the best therapy is compression stockings, anti-inflammatory medications, and exercise.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Aug 21, 2013

Although 7 weeks is a long time post EVLT to have continued discomfort, it does happen and I have seen an occasional patient complain of thigh discomfort for several months. This tends to occur in thin individuals with a very superficial saphenous vein. Most likely there was not enough tumescence and the surface of the skin over the treated vein was irritated by the laser. Also, if the saphenous vein is clotted, this can cause discomfort. Heat, NSAIDS and time will heal.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Although 7 weeks is a long time post EVLT to have continued discomfort, it does happen and I have seen an occasional patient complain of thigh discomfort for several months. This tends to occur in thin individuals with a very superficial saphenous vein. Most likely there was not enough tumescence and the surface of the skin over the treated vein was irritated by the laser. Also, if the saphenous vein is clotted, this can cause discomfort. Heat, NSAIDS and time will heal.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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