Why is my husband still having excruciating pain 1 month after two VNUS closure procedures?

My husband had two VNUS closure procedures (one week apart) on the great saphenous vein in each thigh. He has been in agony ever since and as a result, he has required substantial doses of narcotics. Ultrasound shows that the veins are closed and that there are no clots. When he stands up, he has pain and knee buckling. Surgeon seems at a loss. What is going on?

Answers from doctors (6)


West Coast Vein & Aesthetic Center

Published on Jan 19, 2018

That is not typical of side effects from this procedure.

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Answered by West Coast Vein & Aesthetic Center

That is not typical of side effects from this procedure.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialists

Published on Mar 22, 2013

He may have scar tissue built up along the course of the vein in the thigh region. Was the procedure performed with him awake or under general anesthesia? If done asleep, he may have had some unrecognized thermal(heat) transfer to the surrounding nerves. If it feels as though there is a long cord along the inner thigh which is painful to touch and feels tight like a rubber band, this is more likely scar tissue around the vein. This will resolve over the course of months.

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Answered by Vein Specialists

He may have scar tissue built up along the course of the vein in the thigh region. Was the procedure performed with him awake or under general anesthesia? If done asleep, he may have had some unrecognized thermal(heat) transfer to the surrounding nerves. If it feels as though there is a long cord along the inner thigh which is painful to touch and feels tight like a rubber band, this is more likely scar tissue around the vein. This will resolve over the course of months.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


General Vascular Surgery Group

Published on Mar 21, 2013

I have never heard of such a response to the VNUS closure procedure. His case sounds very unusual. Is there any other potential cause of the pain?

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Answered by General Vascular Surgery Group

I have never heard of such a response to the VNUS closure procedure. His case sounds very unusual. Is there any other potential cause of the pain?

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Advanced Vein Center

Published on Mar 21, 2013

Sorry, but I am at a loss too. Virtually all of my patients need nothing more than Advil, if they even require that at all. This is being said after treating thousands of patients. Even when patients do have pain (they had a very large vein to treat), the pain is reduced to simple discomfort after a few days to a week at most.

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Answered by Advanced Vein Center

Sorry, but I am at a loss too. Virtually all of my patients need nothing more than Advil, if they even require that at all. This is being said after treating thousands of patients. Even when patients do have pain (they had a very large vein to treat), the pain is reduced to simple discomfort after a few days to a week at most.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Mar 21, 2013

There are occasional patients that experience more than the expected amount of discomfort following closure procedures. It is often difficult to explain the increased pain. In general, men are more pain sensitive than women, especially men under 45. Also, in thinner legs (where the vein is close to the skin), the heat from the closure may sensitize the skin. This can lead to increased discomfort. Usually, time and analgesics will resolve the problem.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

There are occasional patients that experience more than the expected amount of discomfort following closure procedures. It is often difficult to explain the increased pain. In general, men are more pain sensitive than women, especially men under 45. Also, in thinner legs (where the vein is close to the skin), the heat from the closure may sensitize the skin. This can lead to increased discomfort. Usually, time and analgesics will resolve the problem.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


VeinSolutions - Edina

Published on Mar 21, 2013

Your husband's case does seem somewhat unique. You do not say whether or not the pain your husband is experiencing involves both legs or just one. Be that as it may, one thought that does come to mind is the possibility that the greater saphenous nerve(s) were traumatized during the procedure and is thus causing your husband some rather severe neuropathic pain. You state in your question that the surgeon is baffled and that all ultrasounds show that the closures are as they should be. If that is indeed the case, you might want to consider consulting a neurologist and/or a pain management specialist to perhaps get to the root of his pain. They can also offer other treatment modalities besides just narcotic pain medication.

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Answered by VeinSolutions - Edina

Your husband's case does seem somewhat unique. You do not say whether or not the pain your husband is experiencing involves both legs or just one. Be that as it may, one thought that does come to mind is the possibility that the greater saphenous nerve(s) were traumatized during the procedure and is thus causing your husband some rather severe neuropathic pain. You state in your question that the surgeon is baffled and that all ultrasounds show that the closures are as they should be. If that is indeed the case, you might want to consider consulting a neurologist and/or a pain management specialist to perhaps get to the root of his pain. They can also offer other treatment modalities besides just narcotic pain medication.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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