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.
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
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
Unfortunately, in order to provide the correct answer, we would need to evaluate your leg.
Published on Jul 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.
Published on Jul 11, 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.
Published on Jul 11, 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.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
This is best addressed by your treating physician.
Published on Jul 11, 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.
Published on Jul 11, 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.
Published on Jul 11, 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.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
It is too soon to know if the varicose vein will disappear.
Published on Jul 11, 2012