The vein I wanted treated is still bulging, tender, and painful after vein ablation. Is this normal two weeks after surgery?

The vein is on the side of leg near the knee crease. I was told that it was a varicose vein and ablation would fix the vein and improve its appearance. After two weeks it still hurts and bulges. My doctor now claims it is a spider vein and that he fixed the problem.

Answers from doctors (11)


Vein Center of Orange County

Published on Sep 17, 2012

Thermal ablation corrects the underlying pressure reversal (reflux) causing most varicose veins, but additional injection or surgical removal of the surface varicosity itself is usually necessary to eliminate it. However, if the varicosity became tender only *after* your procedure, it may shrink on its own.

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Answered by Vein Center of Orange County

Thermal ablation corrects the underlying pressure reversal (reflux) causing most varicose veins, but additional injection or surgical removal of the surface varicosity itself is usually necessary to eliminate it. However, if the varicosity became tender only *after* your procedure, it may shrink on its own.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Advanced Vein Center

Published on Sep 13, 2012

In my experience associated bulging veins go away 50% of the time when doing an ablation. Often phlebectomies (my preference) are need to treat the remaining varices. Sclerotherapy can also work.

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Answered by Advanced Vein Center

In my experience associated bulging veins go away 50% of the time when doing an ablation. Often phlebectomies (my preference) are need to treat the remaining varices. Sclerotherapy can also work.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Americas Vein Centers - Southborough

Published on Sep 11, 2012

Unfortunately, in order to provide the correct answer, we would need to evaluate your leg.

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Answered by Americas Vein Centers - Southborough

Unfortunately, in order to provide the correct answer, we would need to evaluate your leg.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Milford Vascular Institute

Published on Sep 11, 2012

After having a laser ablation, it is often necessary to perform a secondary procedure to treat the branch tributaries of the diseased vein. This might include ambulatory phlebectomy or sclerotherapy, depending on the size and location of the veins. If you do nothing, this vein may slowly reduce in size and become less symptomatic over the next few months. Wearing your compression stockings should help; but if you want immediate relief, phlebectomy or sclerotherapy would be the treatment of choice.

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Answered by Milford Vascular Institute

After having a laser ablation, it is often necessary to perform a secondary procedure to treat the branch tributaries of the diseased vein. This might include ambulatory phlebectomy or sclerotherapy, depending on the size and location of the veins. If you do nothing, this vein may slowly reduce in size and become less symptomatic over the next few months. Wearing your compression stockings should help; but if you want immediate relief, phlebectomy or sclerotherapy would be the treatment of choice.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Sep 10, 2012

It is difficult to say without seeing your ultrasound exam. As a surgeon, I remove large bulging veins at the same time as the ablation is performed (microphlebectomy). However, if your doctor chose not to remove it, 50 percent of varicose veins not removed MAY resolve on their own. That, of course, means that 50 percent will not. If these are truly "spider veins" they can be treated with injection if small at a later stage. I would recommend you continue to wear the compression hose every day, which may speed up resolution if it is related to the saphenous vein. You are very early in your post-treatment phase.

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Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

It is difficult to say without seeing your ultrasound exam. As a surgeon, I remove large bulging veins at the same time as the ablation is performed (microphlebectomy). However, if your doctor chose not to remove it, 50 percent of varicose veins not removed MAY resolve on their own. That, of course, means that 50 percent will not. If these are truly "spider veins" they can be treated with injection if small at a later stage. I would recommend you continue to wear the compression hose every day, which may speed up resolution if it is related to the saphenous vein. You are very early in your post-treatment phase.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Heart and Vein Center

Published on Sep 10, 2012

If the varicose vein is tender after ablation, it means that has closed. Now it is a matter of time for the vein to be reabsorbed by the body. Occasionally, the process can be expedited by opening the vein and extracting the clot that may be there, or remove the vein.

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Answered by Heart and Vein Center

If the varicose vein is tender after ablation, it means that has closed. Now it is a matter of time for the vein to be reabsorbed by the body. Occasionally, the process can be expedited by opening the vein and extracting the clot that may be there, or remove the vein.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Advanced Vein & Laser Centre, Ltd.

Published on Sep 10, 2012

This is best addressed by your treating physician.

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Answered by Advanced Vein & Laser Centre, Ltd.

This is best addressed by your treating physician.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Sep 10, 2012

Varicose veins may not resolve after a closure procedure. Often times microphlebectomies need to be done to eliminate the varicose veins. If your vein is still bulging, it is a varicose vein and not a spider vein It could be still present either because it was not removed or because it clotted following the closure. You should follow up with your treating physician.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Varicose veins may not resolve after a closure procedure. Often times microphlebectomies need to be done to eliminate the varicose veins. If your vein is still bulging, it is a varicose vein and not a spider vein It could be still present either because it was not removed or because it clotted following the closure. You should follow up with your treating physician.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Arizona Vein Specialists

Published on Sep 10, 2012

It sounds like you need a second opinion through a consultation. First, tributary veins may become thrombosed following ablations and may regress after several weeks, if the ablated vein is the only source feeding the varicosity. Typically, there are multiple sources feeding the varicosity and they may be
addressed via injections, or the varicosity may be surgically removed.

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Answered by Arizona Vein Specialists

It sounds like you need a second opinion through a consultation. First, tributary veins may become thrombosed following ablations and may regress after several weeks, if the ablated vein is the only source feeding the varicosity. Typically, there are multiple sources feeding the varicosity and they may be
addressed via injections, or the varicosity may be surgically removed.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Intermountain Vein Center

Published on Sep 10, 2012

It's possible that you have a superficial blood clot in that area either in the vein that was treated or in peripheral veins that connect to that greater vein. If it is a clot, it is not a health risk but, like you said, it is painful. Those clots should resolve on their own and a simple follow up with ultrasound would determine if there is clot.

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Answered by Intermountain Vein Center

It's possible that you have a superficial blood clot in that area either in the vein that was treated or in peripheral veins that connect to that greater vein. If it is a clot, it is not a health risk but, like you said, it is painful. Those clots should resolve on their own and a simple follow up with ultrasound would determine if there is clot.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

Published on Sep 10, 2012

It is too soon to know if the varicose vein will disappear.

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Answered by Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

It is too soon to know if the varicose vein will disappear.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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