I had endovenous laser treatment. During the first three days of recovery I had no pain. Then, over time, pain began to gradually set in. It got worse over days 4, 5 and 6. The painful areas are also a little pink and warm.. Recovery seems to be going backwards. Is this normal? If not, what should I do?
When a vein is thermally ablated (with laser or radio frequency) a clot forms in the vein, and sometimes in the branches of the vein. That triggers inflammation around the treated veins that causes redness and pain if the vein is superficial enough. Having said that, you should still discuss this with your surgeon to make sure you do not have a complication.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Did you have a follow-up appointment with your physician? That is crucial between 7-10 days after the procedure.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
This is quite normal Take ibuprofen for a few days and the pain should suddenly go away.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
As swelling and inflammation reduces tiny nerves can "wake up" and cause some discomfort. Cold packs, low heat and ibuprofen should be enough to get through this phase. Wearing your compression hose will also help support the areas. The redness you see is local inflammation but if concerned see your treating doctor.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
It is not unusual for some patients to have some discomfort in the area of the treated vein. Many factors influence having more or less discomfort i.e.: the size of the treated vein (the larger the vein more discomfort), the closeness of the vein to the skin, the amount of energy delivered during the procedure,
etc.
Vicodin is usually not better than using non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen, naproxen) with or without Tylenol. Compression stockings help to
alleviate some of the pain, sometimes local ice might be helpful/
Published on Jul 11, 2012
What you are experiencing following ELT, is entirely normal. The reason you got better first and then worse again around day 4-5 is because after an ELT procedure, the vein does not close immediately. It takes a few day. Typically three to four days. You also have to remember that you have many branches feeding off of that vein. Not all of these branches will close with ELT. So when the vein finally closes on day four, some of those branches now starts to feed into the closed vein. The result is a pressure spot. This is why you have localized redness and pain in certain spots. If your doc does not know this, then they really do not know much about vein treatments. I tell almost all of my ELT patients this fact because it is so common. The treatment is simple. You treat this feeders and the pain resolves in a couple of days.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
What you describe is normal following endovenous ablation. Initially there is little discomfort because the tumescent anesthesia that was placed lasts for about 3 days. When this resolves, the discomfort increases for a few days, then it will resolve. It is normal to feel hard areas over the lasered vein and the microphlebectomy sites. Apply heat and take ibuprofen and it should improve.
Published on Jul 11, 2012