Should my leg hurt half a year after varicose vein stripping surgery?

I had varicose vein stripping surgery on both legs last November.. I has been half a yer now and I still feel pain and chills in both legs. Also, some parts of my legs feel hard and numb. I'm confused. I felt fine during the first month after the procedure. Is what I'm experiencing normal? If not, what might have gone wrong and what should I do?

Answers from doctors (6)


The Sheen Vein Institute

Published on Jun 06, 2014

Vein stripping is a brutal and entirely unnecessary vein treatment technique. When ever anyone strips out a vein, they are severely traumatizing the inside of the leg. The result can be nerve damage, scarring, etc. The mistake you made was actually allowing someone to perform a stripping procedure on you in the first place. There are more modern techniques the now allow us to treat almost any vein without having to cut or strip anything.

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Answered by The Sheen Vein Institute

Vein stripping is a brutal and entirely unnecessary vein treatment technique. When ever anyone strips out a vein, they are severely traumatizing the inside of the leg. The result can be nerve damage, scarring, etc. The mistake you made was actually allowing someone to perform a stripping procedure on you in the first place. There are more modern techniques the now allow us to treat almost any vein without having to cut or strip anything.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Finesse Surgical Solutions

Published on May 28, 2014

Your complaints are not consistent with the normal post op course after phlebectomies. I am not sure your complaints are related to the surgery. You should be re-evaluated.

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Answered by Finesse Surgical Solutions

Your complaints are not consistent with the normal post op course after phlebectomies. I am not sure your complaints are related to the surgery. You should be re-evaluated.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Intermountain Vein Center

Published on May 23, 2014

Numbness is normal this long after the procedure. Sometimes the physician cannot get all the vein out and so some of the vein is left to be reabsorbed by the body and it will feel lumpy for a while. I'm a little surprised you have pain still. Have you gone in for a follow-up ultrasound? There might be areas where you still need treated. Was sclerotherapy done in conjunction with the phlebectomy? Those two done together make for the best results. Go in for a follow-up and make sure your physician is accredited by the American College of Phlebology.

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Answered by Intermountain Vein Center

Numbness is normal this long after the procedure. Sometimes the physician cannot get all the vein out and so some of the vein is left to be reabsorbed by the body and it will feel lumpy for a while. I'm a little surprised you have pain still. Have you gone in for a follow-up ultrasound? There might be areas where you still need treated. Was sclerotherapy done in conjunction with the phlebectomy? Those two done together make for the best results. Go in for a follow-up and make sure your physician is accredited by the American College of Phlebology.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

Published on May 20, 2014

I would recommend a follow-up appt with your surgeon. Numbness can occur after vein stripping.

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Answered by Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

I would recommend a follow-up appt with your surgeon. Numbness can occur after vein stripping.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on May 16, 2014

I cannot explain why you feel chills in both legs. The hardness is probably due to trapped, clotted blood in partially removed veins. The numbness is due to nerve irritation. A year and a half is a long time for these symptoms to be continuing. You should see a vein specialist and, perhaps, have a venous duplex exam.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

I cannot explain why you feel chills in both legs. The hardness is probably due to trapped, clotted blood in partially removed veins. The numbness is due to nerve irritation. A year and a half is a long time for these symptoms to be continuing. You should see a vein specialist and, perhaps, have a venous duplex exam.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Veins etc. at Comprehensive Cardiovascular Consultants

Published on May 16, 2014

The symptoms you are experiencing are not uncommon after vein surgery. You may have more veins that need to be treated. To determine this, you will need to have an ultrasound. Also, vein stripping is not always the best method when compared to other vein treatments like foam sclerotherapy and endovenous laser ablation.

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Answered by Veins etc. at Comprehensive Cardiovascular Consultants

The symptoms you are experiencing are not uncommon after vein surgery. You may have more veins that need to be treated. To determine this, you will need to have an ultrasound. Also, vein stripping is not always the best method when compared to other vein treatments like foam sclerotherapy and endovenous laser ablation.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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