My leg looks worse after sclerotherapy, why is that?

My first sclerotherapy procedure was 2 years ago, and I have VNUS closure prior. I was happy with the results until now. After my last sclerotherapy procedure 2 months ago, one of my legs looks worse than ever. It suddenly got worse. Why is this happening? What can I do? Help!

Answers from doctors (12)


South Palm Cardiovascular Associates

Published on Mar 18, 2014

It is impossible to comment on this without seeing you, seeing your ultrasound scans, and knowing who treated you and their experience and services provided. For this, I recommend you go back to the physician who treated you and request another examination, or seek a second opinion.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/1131_1499985707.jpg
Answered by South Palm Cardiovascular Associates

It is impossible to comment on this without seeing you, seeing your ultrasound scans, and knowing who treated you and their experience and services provided. For this, I recommend you go back to the physician who treated you and request another examination, or seek a second opinion.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Intermountain Vein Center

Published on Mar 18, 2014

Is there brown staining, or are more veins prominent under the skin? Was it ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy or spider vein sclero? I would recommend 1st making sure your physician is accredited by the American College of Phlebology and have an ultrasound done on your legs. There could be other sources of venous reflux that will sometimes cause new veins to grow. Veins are weird like that; sometimes people just grow new veins. It's genetic. But finding an accredited physician will make all the difference in the treatment quality and process.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/1153_1408044089.jpg
Answered by Intermountain Vein Center

Is there brown staining, or are more veins prominent under the skin? Was it ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy or spider vein sclero? I would recommend 1st making sure your physician is accredited by the American College of Phlebology and have an ultrasound done on your legs. There could be other sources of venous reflux that will sometimes cause new veins to grow. Veins are weird like that; sometimes people just grow new veins. It's genetic. But finding an accredited physician will make all the difference in the treatment quality and process.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Laser Vein Center

Published on Mar 09, 2014

I am very sorry for this unfortunate occurrence, however this can happen after sclerotherapy. You should discuss your concerns with your doctor.

Answered by Laser Vein Center (View Profile)

I am very sorry for this unfortunate occurrence, however this can happen after sclerotherapy. You should discuss your concerns with your doctor.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


I would suggest repeating an ultrasound on that leg to see if anything re-opened, or if you grew new veins. The latter does occur. Does your leg look worse due to more swelling, new spider veins or leg pain? If you had the VNUS closure procedure and visual /surface injections to spider veins and deeper tributaries were not injected with ultrasound guidance, there may be a recurrence of spider veins. With leg pain and/or swelling, I would want to make sure you do not have any blood clots. Blood clots are rare, but possible complication to sclerotherapy. I think re-evaluation in any instance by your provider would be appropriate because it is difficult to assess without seeing your leg and talking to you further about your symptoms.

Answered by HeartCare Associates Vein Center (View Profile)

I would suggest repeating an ultrasound on that leg to see if anything re-opened, or if you grew new veins. The latter does occur. Does your leg look worse due to more swelling, new spider veins or leg pain? If you had the VNUS closure procedure and visual /surface injections to spider veins and deeper tributaries were not injected with ultrasound guidance, there may be a recurrence of spider veins. With leg pain and/or swelling, I would want to make sure you do not have any blood clots. Blood clots are rare, but possible complication to sclerotherapy. I think re-evaluation in any instance by your provider would be appropriate because it is difficult to assess without seeing your leg and talking to you further about your symptoms.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Michael F. Gioscia, MD, FACS, ABVLM

Published on Mar 05, 2014

By "worse," do you mean discolored? Hyperpigmentation can last for several months (up to 18) and even be permanent. You should ask your doctor if there is any trapped blood in the injected veins that could be aspirated,
since this may help.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/1296_1408044092.jpg
Answered by Michael F. Gioscia, MD, FACS, ABVLM

By "worse," do you mean discolored? Hyperpigmentation can last for several months (up to 18) and even be permanent. You should ask your doctor if there is any trapped blood in the injected veins that could be aspirated,
since this may help.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

Published on Mar 05, 2014

Your problem may be that you need another large superficial vein to be closed. Angiogenesis is present.



//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/554_1447800116.jpg
Answered by Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

Your problem may be that you need another large superficial vein to be closed. Angiogenesis is present.



Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Care of New Mexico

Published on Mar 05, 2014

I recommend that you consult with a physician who is certified by the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/1226_1550764825.jpg
Answered by Vein Care of New Mexico

I recommend that you consult with a physician who is certified by the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Veins etc. at Comprehensive Cardiovascular Consultants

Published on Mar 05, 2014

May be due to temporary hyperpigmentation.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/1187_1408044089.jpg
Answered by Veins etc. at Comprehensive Cardiovascular Consultants

May be due to temporary hyperpigmentation.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Miller Vein

Published on Mar 05, 2014

If you spider veins have worsened after sclerotherapy, it might mean that you still have venous insufficiency (a bad vein inside your leg) despite having a closure procedure in the past. A venous ultrasound would answer this question. Other things to keep in mind would include a complication called "matting." After treatment, tiny red veins can grow into the area, which is usually self-limited. If these veins do not disappear, more treatment can clear them. I hope that helps.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/873_1500663762.jpg
Answered by Miller Vein

If you spider veins have worsened after sclerotherapy, it might mean that you still have venous insufficiency (a bad vein inside your leg) despite having a closure procedure in the past. A venous ultrasound would answer this question. Other things to keep in mind would include a complication called "matting." After treatment, tiny red veins can grow into the area, which is usually self-limited. If these veins do not disappear, more treatment can clear them. I hope that helps.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Mar 05, 2014

First of all, I would recommend a follow-up venous ultrasound to assess the status of your veins from the treatment 2 years ago. There may be an underlying refluxing vein contributing to the problem. Also, post-sclerotherapy veins usually look worse before better. That said, by 2 months post-treatment, they should be better not worse. Follow up with your treating physician.

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

First of all, I would recommend a follow-up venous ultrasound to assess the status of your veins from the treatment 2 years ago. There may be an underlying refluxing vein contributing to the problem. Also, post-sclerotherapy veins usually look worse before better. That said, by 2 months post-treatment, they should be better not worse. Follow up with your treating physician.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Mar 05, 2014

You should get a full evaluation from a board certified vascular surgeon who is experienced in treating superficial venous disease. This surgeon will perform a physical exam and ultrasound. It is possible there is a "feeder" reticular vein, perforator vein or some underlying problem. If this is addressed, it should make superficial problems improve with further treatment. With your history, it sounds like you have a condition called chronic venous insufficiency, and you may have ongoing development of new veins due to this. Additionally, you should only have sclerotherapy treatments by an experienced physician.

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

You should get a full evaluation from a board certified vascular surgeon who is experienced in treating superficial venous disease. This surgeon will perform a physical exam and ultrasound. It is possible there is a "feeder" reticular vein, perforator vein or some underlying problem. If this is addressed, it should make superficial problems improve with further treatment. With your history, it sounds like you have a condition called chronic venous insufficiency, and you may have ongoing development of new veins due to this. Additionally, you should only have sclerotherapy treatments by an experienced physician.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Heart and Vein Center

Published on Mar 04, 2014

Are you talking visual sclerotherapy? Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy? You need to specify what worse means (e.g., bruising, pain, swelling, etc). Without further detail, it is difficult to answer your questions. I would suggest you return to your treating physician or seek a second opinion. Be sure to have the specifics I mentioned earlier.

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

Are you talking visual sclerotherapy? Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy? You need to specify what worse means (e.g., bruising, pain, swelling, etc). Without further detail, it is difficult to answer your questions. I would suggest you return to your treating physician or seek a second opinion. Be sure to have the specifics I mentioned earlier.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Related Questions for Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy -11 answers
How long does it take to see spider veins vanish after Sclerotherapy? Is there any hope the veins will disappear after more time has gone by?
See More
Sclerotherapy -12 answers
I have a lot of green veins on my legs, calves, even my arms and other parts of my body. Are those on my legs reticular veins, or could they be normal veins? They are very obvious. I never had them until my pregnancy last year. I have delivered 1 year ago.
See More
Sclerotherapy -10 answers
Why is it necessary to wear Compression Stockings after Sclerotherapy?
See More
Sclerotherapy -10 answers
I had 6 treatments of sclerotherappy one week apart. Much of the treatments were injecting "feeders". It's been over 2 months since my first treatment and my veins look worse. I have new quite dark veins that have popped up. What happened?
See More
Sclerotherapy -9 answers
Will the length of time be longer then two weeks?
See More
Sclerotherapy -10 answers
It has been 8 weeks since I had spider and 1 surface blue vein injected by vein surgeon. I still have black blue spots and the surface vein looks worse, will this correct itself or do i need more treatments/ new doc??
See More
Sclerotherapy -11 answers
I had a sclerotherapy treatment, but instead of being prescribed compression stockings, my doctor advised me to use an elastic bandage. Is the bandage just as effective as compression stockings?
See More
Sclerotherapy -12 answers
What chemicals are in the saline solution and does it have mercury in it and if not what is in it? what are the side effects if any.
See More
Sclerotherapy -4 answers
I recently just noticed that all of my veins are visible all over my body, including a few in the chest area....is this normal? I'm currently on Accutane too.
See More
Sclerotherapy -9 answers
How long after Sclerotherapy can you get in the sun?
See More
Get answers from our experienced doctors.
How it works
Sclerotherapy -11 answers
I just had the sclerotherapy procedure today. I would love to cut off the feet of my compression stockings. I feel like it would be much more comfortable. Would that defeat the purpose?
See More
Sclerotherapy -6 answers
How soon after sclerotherapy can I play tennis? run? dance?
See More
Sclerotherapy -9 answers
After sclerotherapy, there is a small section that is lumpy and discolored. My treating pysician does not drain these, is there any way to speed up the healing/fading of pigmentation?
See More
Sclerotherapy -9 answers
I hade sclerotherapy yesterday, but I can still see a few of the veins that were treated. How long until all the veins disappear?
See More
Sclerotherapy -13 answers
I've heard that occasionally, small lumps of clotted blood can be felt after sclerotherapy. Aren't blood clots quite dangerous?
See More
Sclerotherapy -10 answers
Will running short distances, say 2-4 miles three times per week, be of detriment to sclerotherapy procedures? What about medium distance hikes of 5-10 miles that include hills?
See More
Sclerotherapy -11 answers
Can you go in a hot tub after sclerotherapy and how long do you have to wear the stocking for?
See More
Sclerotherapy -11 answers
I had sclerotherapy almost 4 weeks ago. My legs now ache and feel heavy as soon as I get up in the morning. I have been wearing support knee highs. How long should this last? Legs didn't feel this way before sclerotherapy.
See More
Sclerotherapy -6 answers
Would I see the results right away after Sclerotherapy treatment? If not, when wil the bruises go away? Is it normal to still see all my treated veins after 10 days?
See More
Sclerotherapy -13 answers
I had a sclerotherapy procedure for spider veins on lateral upper thigh just over two weeks ago at derm dr. Since that time, have noticed an approx. 1" wide area of tons of tiny new vessels just distal to injection sites. How long before this goes away?
See More
Get answers from our experienced doctors.
How it works

Related Articles

Have specific questions?
ASK A DOCTOR