My legs burn, ache and are swollen after sclerotherapy, why is this?
I had 3 mini-sclerotherapy treatments 4 weeks apart. Since my last session 8 weeks ago, my legs have been burning and aching. They've also become swollen. Just as bad, the spider veins didn't even disappear. They have multiplied and are bigger, more purple more visible. It feels like pins and needles all over my legs, not just he injection spots. I had no pain in my legs before. Duplex scan is normal. Doctor used VeinLite. Why is this happening?
Answers from doctors (5)
It is unusual to still have burning after sclerotherapy. Make sure you have an ultrasound with a reflux study.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Based on what you are saying in regards to "mini-sclerotherapy" treatments, it is very difficult to ascertain how good your treatments actually were. What I can tell you is that 4 weeks is not ideal between treatments. Since your vein structure is really like a 3D network, you really want to treat every week to every other depending on how much you have. Waiting too long between treatments only allows all of these internetworking veins to actually reverse some of the treatment that was done during your previous treatment. As for why your originals spiders did not go away, I suspect that your doc either missed those reticular veins feeding your spiders or never treated those veins at all. Some docs out there do not even know that they need to treat those reticular veins . As for why you might be suffering from discomfort in your legs, I can only surmise that sometime during your treatments, deeper veins were probably closed that did not need to be closed. Even though you also had a duplex scan of your legs, not all duplex scans are created equal. The quality and reliability of duplex scans is highly dependent on the person performing the scan and whether that person knows what to look for in regards to venous anatomy. This is why even when I hire an experienced ultrasound tech for one of my offices, I always have to train them to understand what we are looking for and how to properly evaluate a patient's vein structure.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Was ultrasound done to inject the veins, or was it strictly Veinlite that was used to treat your spider veins? Did they say anything about superficial clot in the treated veins? What chemical did the doc use for sclerotherapy? It is unusual to have this much discomfort 2 months after spider vein treatment. Usually people are fine after one week. I would find another doctor and get a second opinion. I wish I could answer your question but I need more details. Find a physician who is accredited by the American College of Phlebology for a 2nd opinion and have another ultrasound done. There could be SVT in those veins and/or underlying veins that are feeding those spider veins.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
You should be evaluated by and experienced board certified vascular surgeon who can perform a thorough ultrasound examination of the deep and superficial veins and higher veins above the groin level. This is to rule out any obstruction higher up and should be done urgently. If this is all normal you may have a different issue and may need further evaluation. A vascular surgeon can direct you.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Your symptoms are not what is expected after sclerotherapy. It almost sounds like an allergic reaction. A normal duplex helps to rule out DVT, but it may be prudent to repeat the duplex scan and also to do a reflux ultrasound. Worsening spider veins after multiple treatments suggests reflux. You need to return to your treating physician or see a vein specialist. Your symptoms may not be related to your veins at all.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
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