Is intense pain normal a week and a half after ambulatory phlebectomy?
I had ambulatory phlebectomy on my lower calf & EVLT on my upper inner thigh. A small, painful lump formed in my thigh, but is better. The upper section of vein in my left calf, however, is very tender & sends sharp pain when walking. At my one-week checkup, the doc tried to drain it, but couldn't get all the blood bc I was too tense. Two days later, I am still in pain. Should I insist more be drained? I have been using ice, ibuprofen, walking regularly, arnica cream, resting, etc.
Answers from doctors (6)
Thanks for your question and I am sorry for your symptoms. Please rest assured that they are most likely self-limiting (meaning no systemic consequence) and should resolve with time. It is very normal for a sensation of tightness to develop about 1 wk post-thermal ablation (EVLT or EVRT) along the course of the treated vein. This should resolve; it may take several weeks to months. Based on your description, it also seems that you developed thrombophlebitis, meaning some residual blood within the treated vein has solidified (clotted) with associated localized irritation in that segment. Again, this should resolve and should be of no systemic consequence.
Sounds like your physician did an aspiration, during which s/he accessed the irritated segment with a small needle and tried to break up and aspirate some of the clot. This will typically not yield the whole clot, but often just the manipulation will help hasten healing/reabsorption. I would discuss these symptoms further with your physician. You may want to try adding heat to your mix of treatments as long as that does not interfere with your other vein treatment. With respect to a repeat drainage, typically the longer a clot is present, the more "organized" (i.e. solidified) it becomes, and the yield of additional aspirations is thus poorer.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
You should go back and see your physician or surgeon as this could develop into an infection.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Call your treating physician for guidance.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
The lump will likely resolve with time. Use heat not ice. If it really bothers you, have him check it again.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
What you describe are normal findings post-laser ablation and microphlebectomies, but you shouldn't be having intense pain. The hardened areas are a result of trapped blood. I recommend wet warm compresses rather than ice. The heat softens the trapped blood so that it can be evacuated. Sometimes it may take more then one evacuation to get rid of the hardened area.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
A nerve could have been irritated as a result of the procedure, or you may have a hematoma or collection of blood irritating the area. I would take ibuprofen or even use voltaren gel on the area to see if it helps. If not, return to your treating physician for further care.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
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