I'm feeling a hardness in my calf area and it's been four days since having varicose vein laser surgery. Is that normal?
Answers from doctors (10)
Totally normal. It's usually part of an inflammatory reaction in treated veins. See your doctor for additional questions or concerns.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Some hardness or stiffness is expected after venous ablation. It is, however, a good idea to revisit your doctor if you have stiffness of calf associated with swelling and pain. Your doctor may perform an ultrasound to exclude the possibility of a clot in deep veins.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
It's hard to say without examining you, but most likely you are either feeling the closed saphenous vein (if it's close to the skin) or a branch that is closed. A closed vein will feel like a hard cord or bulge under the skin until the body has time to absorb it.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
You should contact the doctor who performed your surgery. They should provide post-care instructions for you and information on normal healing.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
This could be normal. However, to exclude calf vein blood clots, I recommend to visit the doctor who performed your surgery.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
If your laser surgery was performed in that calf region, it could just be your vein has scarred. If the hard area is tender, and your treatment was done elsewhere on your leg, it could be a superficial blood clot (superficial thrombophlebitis) among many possibilities. It is difficult to give a definitive answer without actually examining the area. I would have the person treating you ultrasound your leg to make sure that it is not a DVT.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
The laser closure may feel hard at first, but will slowly resolve.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Sometimes after laser of one of the veins in the leg, one of the varicose veins may clot on its own. More than likely, this is the hardness that you are feeling, and if so, this is totally normal. The one thing you want to watch is whether your whole calf gets swollen (instead of just one or a few areas) — then you have to worry about a clot in the deep system (DVT). When in doubt, consult your doctor.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Completely normal. This may take a few months to completely resolve. Be patient.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
No, it needs to be evaluated by your surgeon. It could be phlebitis or DVT.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Related Questions for Endovenous Laser Ablation
