I had endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) with phlebectomy on the left leg 3 days ago. I now have numbness around my left ankle, on the left side of my foot, and running up the right side of my shin from the ankle to a few inches below the knee. Will this numbness likely resolve?
It likely will get better over time; however, it may take months.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
The numbness, or neuropathy, that you are experiencing right now should abate; however, it may take some time. In some cases, it can take up to nine months for the numbness or tingling to go away completely.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
It is possible that the numbness you are feeling will resolve over time.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Sensory nerve injury may occur after endovenous laser treatment, particularly when it is performed on veins below the mid-calf level. Phlebectomy may also cause nerve injury because when veins are removed beneath skin level with an instrument, that instrument may also cut or remove nerves under the skin. Usually, this numbness resolves over weeks and months, but sometimes numbness is permanent. In my practice, I do not offer phlebectomy as it is my opinion that these residual veins are better eliminated without surgery using ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy, and there is no risk of nerve injury with ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
It is likely that sensation will return, but it may take some time.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Yes, the numbness after EVLT generally resolves over weeks to months, but in a small minority of cases it can last. With phlebectomy, the risk of permanent numbness is slightly greater, but still often goes away.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
The numbness you are experiencing after EVLT will resolve on its own, but it may take 6 weeks to 12 months.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
You need to be evaluated. Seek a follow-up with the physician who treated you.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
The numbness you describe is likely from one of three causes: 1) temporary nerve irritation due to local inflammatory changes from one or both of the procedures, 2) nerve injury from the heat applied to the nearby treated vein, or 3) nerve injury due to disruption of the nerve during microphlebectomy. It is not possible to know for certain which of these causes (or combination of causes) is at fault. However, nerve irritation often resolves within days to weeks, with full recovery of normal sensation expected. Nerve injury from heat may require nerve regeneration to occur before the symptoms go away. This usually takes place and usually requires no other therapy, but it occurs at a rate of approximately a millimeter a day, so if there is a 20 cm segment of injured nerve, it may take somewhere around 200 days to heal. If the nerve was disrupted during microphlebectomy, it may regenerate or may not. It is possible some of the symptoms could be permanent.
Published on Jul 11, 2012