I had ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy in both legs in 2013, and now I have truncal reflux, pain, more veins and swelling in one leg. Why?

My right leg is two inches wider than my left. The surgeon gave that leg more injections.
I've recently seen someone who says that since the procedure was done I now have lipodema and reflux in my truncal veins. Can scierotherapy make this condition worse and cause pain, swelling and fluid? What can I do to improve? Thank you.

Answers from doctors (5)


More About Doctor David Green, MD

Published on Aug 09, 2021

Whatever sclerotherapy you had in the past should not be the cause of whatever problems you have described and are now experiencing.

Answered by David Green, MD (View Profile)

Whatever sclerotherapy you had in the past should not be the cause of whatever problems you have described and are now experiencing.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Advanced Vein Center

Published on Feb 28, 2017

Sclerotherapy does not cause lipedema. Secondly venous disease is hereditary, and therefore can be progressive with time. A careful ultrasound exam of your superficial veins should help dictate the best treatment plan for you.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/464_1408044069.jpg
Answered by Advanced Vein Center

Sclerotherapy does not cause lipedema. Secondly venous disease is hereditary, and therefore can be progressive with time. A careful ultrasound exam of your superficial veins should help dictate the best treatment plan for you.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Modern Vein & Laser Center

Published on Feb 25, 2017

The procedure you had may not have treated the source of the problem, such as closure of the Great Saphenous vein, Small Saphenous vein, or other incompetent superficial truncal vein. Probably foam was injected into the varicose veins, which is only a cosmetic treatment, not addressing the source.
You need to be evaluated by a specialist and the source of the problem needs to be treated.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/8244_1479160468.jpg
Answered by Modern Vein & Laser Center

The procedure you had may not have treated the source of the problem, such as closure of the Great Saphenous vein, Small Saphenous vein, or other incompetent superficial truncal vein. Probably foam was injected into the varicose veins, which is only a cosmetic treatment, not addressing the source.
You need to be evaluated by a specialist and the source of the problem needs to be treated.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Hratch Karamanoukian, MD, FACS, RVT, RPVI, RPhS

Published on Feb 24, 2017

Lipedema is a different condition than lymphedema. Lipedema is a genetically predisposed condition with abnormal FAT deposition, i.e. a fat disorder. It is usually bilateral, spares the feet (feet NOT involved) and the legs would be very tender to the touch. It is not associated with venous insufficiency. This is different that LYMPHedema.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/7743_1538076833.jpg
Answered by Hratch Karamanoukian, MD, FACS, RVT, RPVI, RPhS

Lipedema is a different condition than lymphedema. Lipedema is a genetically predisposed condition with abnormal FAT deposition, i.e. a fat disorder. It is usually bilateral, spares the feet (feet NOT involved) and the legs would be very tender to the touch. It is not associated with venous insufficiency. This is different that LYMPHedema.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Feb 23, 2017

It is very difficult to say why you have this problem. It could be from over injection damaging saphenous vein valves, but it could also be incidental. I would most likely guess what the swelling is from lymphedema, not lipodema. When the lymph channels become blocked or disrupted, they cannot drain from the legs up into the body. This can be an incidental occurrence, inherited or from an injury. I would recommend being evaluated by a board certified vascular surgeon and also get a referral to a hospital based lymphedema clinic. It is important to treat this as early as possible. There are treatments - massage, wrapping and compression hose - which can be done with a therapist and there is also a home program done with a pump.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/623_1499902138.jpg
Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

It is very difficult to say why you have this problem. It could be from over injection damaging saphenous vein valves, but it could also be incidental. I would most likely guess what the swelling is from lymphedema, not lipodema. When the lymph channels become blocked or disrupted, they cannot drain from the legs up into the body. This can be an incidental occurrence, inherited or from an injury. I would recommend being evaluated by a board certified vascular surgeon and also get a referral to a hospital based lymphedema clinic. It is important to treat this as early as possible. There are treatments - massage, wrapping and compression hose - which can be done with a therapist and there is also a home program done with a pump.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Related Questions for Foam Sclerotherapy

Foam Sclerotherapy -13 answers
I had EVLT performed on both legs. A week later, I had a foam sclerotherapy treatment. I developed thrombophlebitis following the procedures, and was given ibuprofen 600 for 2 weeks. I am finding that I still have no relief. There is pain behind my knee & inner thigh. What should I do?
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -5 answers
It has been almost 3 weeks since I had the procedure. Is it OK to go for a full body massage? If not, when will I be able to go?
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -3 answers
I've had four rounds of sclerotherapy over the course of a year. Now they're much much worse, and there are new clusters of veins around the injection site. Is it possible sclerotherapy just doesn't work for me?
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -7 answers
Is it bad for your health to have sclerotherapy? It seems dangerous to inject chemicals like that directly into the bloodstream. Couldn't they spread and cause damage to other veins/areas of the body?
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -7 answers
20 years ago I had liquid Sclerotherapy and was bandaged for one month. The veins weregone when removed.Two months after my foam sclerotherapy my veins are still there. I know brown pigmentation takes a while to fade. The only difference is that this time I was only given compression stockings, not tight, to wear for 1 week. I've been wearing my own (stronger) stocking for 7 weeks, but no improvement. I'm very disappointed. Will the veins ever improve?
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -2 answers
I have done several procedures Foam Sclerotherapy, injections, etc. This has caused those areas to stain. Also the pain continues especially when I'm on my mentral cycle, which causes it to be even more pruple and almost black in color.
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -4 answers
I had the great and short saphenous veins treated on both legs. I am still wearing compression hose during the day but my legs feel very tender and bruised and it hurts when I walk.
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -2 answers
I hate the big veins on my hands. Is it safe to get rid of them with sclerotherapy?
See More
Get answers from our experienced doctors.
How it works
Foam Sclerotherapy -5 answers
I had the VENUS procedure done 4 weeks ago along with foam sclerotherapy into a perforator vein about 3" above my ankle. Ultrasound shows a thrombosis in this area. It is still hardened, tender, and has not improved. What should I expect my surgeon to do?
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -2 answers
My leg aches continually especially in warm weather. Can this be eradicated with more foam to reduce the refluxing veins? What are my chances of getting phlebitis again in this leg and how long should I leave it before having more treatment?
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -10 answers
My doctor says it's okay but I thought veins had to clot in order for the sclerotheraphy to be successful.
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -6 answers
I am thinking about having foam sclerotherapy and I was once told by a doctor that the blood will clot from the foam and then the foam shrinks the vein. Can you explain this process? How long does the blood clot stay there? Is it a concern, and is there a risk of developing other problems from this treatment, such as cancer?
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -3 answers
I have developed protruding blue veins around my ankle (my achilles heel area) and generally on my foot. Would foam sclerotherapy or just sclerotherapy be suitable in treating this? Would it help resolve my ankle aching on hot days?
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -7 answers
I have bulging veins on my feet that concern me health-wise. Can they be treated using sclerotherapy? Or, is there a better procedure for this particular area?
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -6 answers
I had foam scleotherapy 16 days ago on a very superficial varicose vein behind my left knee. The surgeon injected the vein with foam; however, at that moment, I felt pain along the vein in my inner thigh. I had severe bruising along this vein even though it was far from the site of injection. I now still have bruising and there are palpable tender lumps along the length of the vein on my inner thigh for about 4-5 inches. Is this normal? What do I do?
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -3 answers
what are the advantages (if any) over Asclera and also, must a compression stocking be worn after the proceedure AND EXACTLY for how long?
See More
Get answers from our experienced doctors.
How it works

Related Articles

Have specific questions?
ASK A DOCTOR