can a nerve be damaged during a schlerotherapy and or microphlebectomy?

12 days ago I had schlerotherapy and microphlebectomy on the fold of the foot and during the proceedure I felt an excruciating burning and pain that traveled to the end of my foot. I still can't stretch that foot without feeling that pain.

Answers from doctors (5)


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on May 08, 2018

Most likely this was a small nerve attached to the vein being removed. There are many small nerves in the foot and typically your surgeon is able to identify them at the time especially if there is some pain. I would recommend you massage the area down to the end of your foot, stretch as much as possible. Apply low heat as often as you can for a while also. This well all help desensitize the nerve if it was "stretched" during the procedures. Compression hose can also help.

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Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Most likely this was a small nerve attached to the vein being removed. There are many small nerves in the foot and typically your surgeon is able to identify them at the time especially if there is some pain. I would recommend you massage the area down to the end of your foot, stretch as much as possible. Apply low heat as often as you can for a while also. This well all help desensitize the nerve if it was "stretched" during the procedures. Compression hose can also help.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Mid-Atlantic Institute of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine

Published on May 08, 2018

There is risk of damage to saphenous nerve, sural nerve, tibial nerve and peroneal nerves during microphlebectomy. Appropriate care needs to be taken while performing this procedure to avoid injury to the nerves.

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Answered by Mid-Atlantic Institute of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine

There is risk of damage to saphenous nerve, sural nerve, tibial nerve and peroneal nerves during microphlebectomy. Appropriate care needs to be taken while performing this procedure to avoid injury to the nerves.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Allure Medical

Published on May 07, 2018

The nerves can be injured with the microphlebectomy, and you felt that when you had the pain. Fortunately, the nerves in that are redundant, and the sensation should go back to normal over time. Stretching your foot and reproducing the pain may actually help it heal. If it doesn't resolve, your doctor may have some other tips for you to try.

Answered by Allure Medical (View Profile)

The nerves can be injured with the microphlebectomy, and you felt that when you had the pain. Fortunately, the nerves in that are redundant, and the sensation should go back to normal over time. Stretching your foot and reproducing the pain may actually help it heal. If it doesn't resolve, your doctor may have some other tips for you to try.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Desert Vein Institute

Published on May 04, 2018

Yes It could be a possibility.

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Answered by Desert Vein Institute

Yes It could be a possibility.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Normand Miller, MD, FACS, RPVI, RVT

Published on May 03, 2018

Yes this may happen. It is a very uncommon event, however. Usually a very fine nerve of sensation (typically not a nerve controlling any of your muscles) is adjacent to the vein being removed (by microphlebectomy) and gets stretched/ damaged during the process, which will give a strong burning sensation during the procedure and may haunt you for a few weeks afterwards. It tends to resolve on its own. However if the burning feeling is too annoying, a medication such as Gabapentin may be useful over a period of a few weeks.

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Answered by Normand Miller, MD, FACS, RPVI, RVT

Yes this may happen. It is a very uncommon event, however. Usually a very fine nerve of sensation (typically not a nerve controlling any of your muscles) is adjacent to the vein being removed (by microphlebectomy) and gets stretched/ damaged during the process, which will give a strong burning sensation during the procedure and may haunt you for a few weeks afterwards. It tends to resolve on its own. However if the burning feeling is too annoying, a medication such as Gabapentin may be useful over a period of a few weeks.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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