I still have pain and tenderness 3 weeks post-sclerotherapy, what should I do?

I had ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy 3 weeks ago. One injection site was my inner calf, about 4-5 inches above ankle near the side of my tibia bone. This area still has pain and is very sensitive to touch, but there is no swelling or bruising. Any idea as to what I should do?

Answers from doctors (13)


Artery and Vein Specialists of Idaho

Published on Apr 17, 2014

This can happen, and is likely due to normal extravasation of the sclerosant into the surrounding tissues. Just mild pain relievers and ice may help.

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Answered by Artery and Vein Specialists of Idaho

This can happen, and is likely due to normal extravasation of the sclerosant into the surrounding tissues. Just mild pain relievers and ice may help.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Intermountain Vein Center

Published on Apr 17, 2014

Have you had a follow-up appointment yet? If not, then make sure you have one with your physician. The way the sclero works is it creates a clot in the vein, which in turn creates scar tissue to be reabsorbed by your body. Sometimes it may take up to a few months for the vein to be completely healed. Either way, a follow-up with your treating physician is always recommended.

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Answered by Intermountain Vein Center

Have you had a follow-up appointment yet? If not, then make sure you have one with your physician. The way the sclero works is it creates a clot in the vein, which in turn creates scar tissue to be reabsorbed by your body. Sometimes it may take up to a few months for the vein to be completely healed. Either way, a follow-up with your treating physician is always recommended.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Finesse Surgical Solutions

Published on Apr 16, 2014

The inflammatory response from sclerotherapy causes the pain. It is most noticeable when a larger vein is injected or the medicine extravasates into the skin or fatty tissue. The pain will usually resolve in 3 to 6 weeks. Hot compresses may help. Taking an NSAID (like Advil or Alleve) usually helps too.

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Answered by Finesse Surgical Solutions

The inflammatory response from sclerotherapy causes the pain. It is most noticeable when a larger vein is injected or the medicine extravasates into the skin or fatty tissue. The pain will usually resolve in 3 to 6 weeks. Hot compresses may help. Taking an NSAID (like Advil or Alleve) usually helps too.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Clinic of North Carolina

Published on Apr 15, 2014

It can be normal to have pain and tenderness. When veins are treated that
are closer to the surface, there a tiny nerves and not much tissue in that area, so it could take a few weeks to months to completely subside. If it does continue after that, then you do need to follow up.

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Answered by Vein Clinic of North Carolina

It can be normal to have pain and tenderness. When veins are treated that
are closer to the surface, there a tiny nerves and not much tissue in that area, so it could take a few weeks to months to completely subside. If it does continue after that, then you do need to follow up.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Apr 11, 2014

You may have some residual phlebitis from the injection of the sclerosing solution. Your treating physician should perform ultrasound to ensure that is the problem. Although we don't see this very often, you can try applying local warmth (heating pad on low, warm facecloth etc) for 10 mins at a time but frequently. An over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication such as Aleve or Ibuprofen taken 3 times a day can also help.

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Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

You may have some residual phlebitis from the injection of the sclerosing solution. Your treating physician should perform ultrasound to ensure that is the problem. Although we don't see this very often, you can try applying local warmth (heating pad on low, warm facecloth etc) for 10 mins at a time but frequently. An over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication such as Aleve or Ibuprofen taken 3 times a day can also help.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

Published on Apr 10, 2014

You have superficial thrombophlebitis. This should resolve with Ibuprofen.



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Answered by Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

You have superficial thrombophlebitis. This should resolve with Ibuprofen.



Published on Jul 11, 2012


The Sheen Vein Institute

Published on Apr 10, 2014

It sounds like you have trapped blood in the vein(s) that were treated. The result is a superficial phlebitis that is probably the source of your pain in that treated area. Your doc should be able to fix it quickly with a single follow up. If your doc does not know what is causing your pain, then you probably need to find a vein doc who understands the potential consequences of sclerotherapy.

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Answered by The Sheen Vein Institute

It sounds like you have trapped blood in the vein(s) that were treated. The result is a superficial phlebitis that is probably the source of your pain in that treated area. Your doc should be able to fix it quickly with a single follow up. If your doc does not know what is causing your pain, then you probably need to find a vein doc who understands the potential consequences of sclerotherapy.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Care of New Mexico

Published on Apr 09, 2014

This could be related to trapped blood. You should be rechecked by the physician who performed the sclerotherapy.

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Answered by Vein Care of New Mexico

This could be related to trapped blood. You should be rechecked by the physician who performed the sclerotherapy.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


You have superficial phlebitis from the sclerotherapy. This is not dangerous and is very common after sclerotherapy due to inflammation and the process of the vein closing. Typically, this resolves in 4-6 weeks. You can try NSAIDS like ibuprofen or Aleve, ice to the area, and wearing compression stockings during the day to help improve the pain and speed up the healing process.

Answered by HeartCare Associates Vein Center (View Profile)

You have superficial phlebitis from the sclerotherapy. This is not dangerous and is very common after sclerotherapy due to inflammation and the process of the vein closing. Typically, this resolves in 4-6 weeks. You can try NSAIDS like ibuprofen or Aleve, ice to the area, and wearing compression stockings during the day to help improve the pain and speed up the healing process.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Bellagio Vein Clinic

Published on Apr 08, 2014

Take Ibuprofen, Tylenol, and/or Aspirin. Also, put a heating pad on the area as often as possible and massage the area. If you take these measures, it will get better with time.

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Answered by Bellagio Vein Clinic

Take Ibuprofen, Tylenol, and/or Aspirin. Also, put a heating pad on the area as often as possible and massage the area. If you take these measures, it will get better with time.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Bella MD Laser Vein and Aesthetic Center

Published on Apr 08, 2014

You just have to wait it out. However, if the pain increases, or if swelling occurs, you should return to your treating physician for an examination.

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Answered by Bella MD Laser Vein and Aesthetic Center

You just have to wait it out. However, if the pain increases, or if swelling occurs, you should return to your treating physician for an examination.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Veins etc. at Comprehensive Cardiovascular Consultants

Published on Apr 08, 2014

You most likely have chemically induced inflammation in the injected vein. Heat/aleve/stocking will help.

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Answered by Veins etc. at Comprehensive Cardiovascular Consultants

You most likely have chemically induced inflammation in the injected vein. Heat/aleve/stocking will help.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Apr 08, 2014

This could be a result of the sclerotherapy solution leaking outside of the vein and irritating the surrounding tissue. It could also be nerve irritation. I would treat with symptomatically with warm wet compresses to the area and Ibuprofen. If this doesn't help, follow up with your treating physician.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

This could be a result of the sclerotherapy solution leaking outside of the vein and irritating the surrounding tissue. It could also be nerve irritation. I would treat with symptomatically with warm wet compresses to the area and Ibuprofen. If this doesn't help, follow up with your treating physician.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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