What should I do about a purple lump on my leg after Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy?

It has been three weeks since my UGS procedure and there is a small purple lump about 20mm in diameter where my vein was treated. It is sore to touch. My follow-up appointment is in three weeks. What is the purple lump? Can it wait until then to be seen or is there something I can do/should do?

Answers from doctors (14)


More About Doctor Premier Heart & Vein Care

Published on Sep 23, 2012

A lump after UGS can be related to either trapped blood or a small clot; an ultrasound would answer the question. Trapped blood should be removed to avoid hyper-pigmentation.

Answered by Premier Heart & Vein Care (View Profile)

A lump after UGS can be related to either trapped blood or a small clot; an ultrasound would answer the question. Trapped blood should be removed to avoid hyper-pigmentation.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Center of Orange County

Published on Aug 11, 2012

The purple lump is probably an area of inflammation which may resolve by itself or require aspiration of trapped blood from a successfully closed vein. You may use cold compresses and oral NSAIDs, or call your doctor for advice. I usually follow-up patients 3-4 weeks after sclerotherapy.

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Answered by Vein Center of Orange County

The purple lump is probably an area of inflammation which may resolve by itself or require aspiration of trapped blood from a successfully closed vein. You may use cold compresses and oral NSAIDs, or call your doctor for advice. I usually follow-up patients 3-4 weeks after sclerotherapy.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Coastal Vein Institute & Aesthetic Center

Published on Aug 06, 2012

Treat with heat, elevation, NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), and follow up with doctor.
-Answered by Dr. Stuart A. Harlin

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Answered by Coastal Vein Institute & Aesthetic Center

Treat with heat, elevation, NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), and follow up with doctor.
-Answered by Dr. Stuart A. Harlin

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Advanced Vein Center

Published on Jul 26, 2012

It is probably trapped blood. It can easily be removed and can probably wait until your next visit. If it is very painful than go back for a recheck sooner.

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Answered by Advanced Vein Center

It is probably trapped blood. It can easily be removed and can probably wait until your next visit. If it is very painful than go back for a recheck sooner.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


South Palm Cardiovascular Associates

Published on Jul 25, 2012

The purple lump is clotted blood. With time it will be less tender or your doctor can extract the clot. Try NSAIDs (Advil etc). This is likely not an emergency.

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Answered by South Palm Cardiovascular Associates

The purple lump is clotted blood. With time it will be less tender or your doctor can extract the clot. Try NSAIDs (Advil etc). This is likely not an emergency.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialists

Published on Jul 24, 2012

This lump likely represents a clotted vein under the skin (not a dangerous clot). If there was a small varicose vein there before, now it is probably thrombosed (clotted, this was the goal of the injection sclerotherapy), and
may be drainable with a needle by your vein specialist. I usually wait 3-4 weeks to do so, as it takes this long for the clot to soften up enough to actually drain through the 18 gauge needle hole.

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Answered by Vein Specialists

This lump likely represents a clotted vein under the skin (not a dangerous clot). If there was a small varicose vein there before, now it is probably thrombosed (clotted, this was the goal of the injection sclerotherapy), and
may be drainable with a needle by your vein specialist. I usually wait 3-4 weeks to do so, as it takes this long for the clot to soften up enough to actually drain through the 18 gauge needle hole.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Advanced Vein & Laser Centre, Ltd.

Published on Jul 23, 2012

This is not uncommon and can easily be addressed in the office. Please contact your physician immediately and tell them exactly what you have written here. They should be able to see you promptly to relieve the
discomfort.

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Answered by Advanced Vein & Laser Centre, Ltd.

This is not uncommon and can easily be addressed in the office. Please contact your physician immediately and tell them exactly what you have written here. They should be able to see you promptly to relieve the
discomfort.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Intermountain Vein Center

Published on Jul 23, 2012

The purple lump is most likely a small superficial blood clot. What the sclerotherapy does is clot the blood and break down the vein, so it is possible to have lumps like those you describe. It is not a health risk but they will hurt. Sometimes the physician will make a small incision to drain the clot to promote faster healing, but it will heal itself after a while. If pain and size continue to increase, call and schedule an earlier follow up appointment.

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Answered by Intermountain Vein Center

The purple lump is most likely a small superficial blood clot. What the sclerotherapy does is clot the blood and break down the vein, so it is possible to have lumps like those you describe. It is not a health risk but they will hurt. Sometimes the physician will make a small incision to drain the clot to promote faster healing, but it will heal itself after a while. If pain and size continue to increase, call and schedule an earlier follow up appointment.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Jul 23, 2012

20 mm is not small. This sounds like a hematoma or an area of the vein that has clotted following sclerotherapy. Usually the treatment is evacuation of the clotted material with a small needle. I would recommend that you see your treating physician sooner rather than later. It can usually easily be treated under local anesthesia with immediate improvement.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

20 mm is not small. This sounds like a hematoma or an area of the vein that has clotted following sclerotherapy. Usually the treatment is evacuation of the clotted material with a small needle. I would recommend that you see your treating physician sooner rather than later. It can usually easily be treated under local anesthesia with immediate improvement.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

Published on Jul 23, 2012

The lump is clotted blood that should be drained on your follow up visit. Treat with ibuprofen now.

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Answered by Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

The lump is clotted blood that should be drained on your follow up visit. Treat with ibuprofen now.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Arizona Vein Specialists

Published on Jul 23, 2012

It is appropriate for you to contact your treating physician to describe the situation and request to be seen
earlier. You do not give enough information, nor is it proper to diagnose you unseen.

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Answered by Arizona Vein Specialists

It is appropriate for you to contact your treating physician to describe the situation and request to be seen
earlier. You do not give enough information, nor is it proper to diagnose you unseen.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Smith Vein Institute, LLC

Published on Jul 23, 2012

It is hard to say without seeing it, but I suspect it may be trapped blood. It may be able to be drained, so I would advise having your treating physician take a look at it.

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Answered by Smith Vein Institute, LLC

It is hard to say without seeing it, but I suspect it may be trapped blood. It may be able to be drained, so I would advise having your treating physician take a look at it.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Heart and Vein Center

Published on Jul 23, 2012

The purple lump is one of the treated veins that now is closed. It is not uncommon to have some pain over those veins. You can take non-steroidal anti-inflamatories like ibuprofen or naproxen (Aleve).

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Answered by Heart and Vein Center

The purple lump is one of the treated veins that now is closed. It is not uncommon to have some pain over those veins. You can take non-steroidal anti-inflamatories like ibuprofen or naproxen (Aleve).

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Pacific Vein Centers

Published on Jul 23, 2012

This is almost certainly an area of "trapped blood" and if it continues to be symptomatic, can be treated with a simple puncture to relieve the pressure.

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Answered by Pacific Vein Centers

This is almost certainly an area of "trapped blood" and if it continues to be symptomatic, can be treated with a simple puncture to relieve the pressure.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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