I had the procedure done and now I'm having pain behind the knee. I'm having a hard time bending it and feel quite a bit of pain. Does this have anything to do with the procedure?
Was it the small saphenous or great saphenous vein you had ablated? There can be residual pain and sometimes numbness if the saphenous nerve has been irritated. Pain behind the knee can be due to the vein, or nearby varicosities are going through the natural course of thrombosing. Depending on how long ago you had the ablation, you can also develop a component of phlebitis. If it persists, or the area is warm to the touch, I would go see your physician.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
It is remotely possible, but you should see your doctor for evaluation of your veins through duplex ultrasound and a physical exam.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
If you're having pain that is unexpected following your procedure, you should contact your physician for an evaluation. Most patients have some pain and bruising immediately following saphenous ablation that improves after a few days. However, other more rare possibilities can include neurologic injuries, skin burns and deep vein thrombosis.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
First, we would need to know the time frame between the endovenous ablation and the beginning of the pain that you are having behind your knee. Secondly, you should follow up with the physician who performed the procedure and have an ultrasound to look for a deep venous thrombosis in and around the calf. It is likely you have a superficial venous thrombosis causing pain that needs to be evacuated and drained.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
It is hard to tell if this pain is related to the ablation procedure, since it does not say when you had it done. I would consult with your vein specialist to address this issue.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
It may. It would be common to have pain behind the knee or in the calf if the 'short' saphenous vein was treated. Check with your doctor. You should have a follow-up ultrasound to make sure you are healing properly.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
A bit of soreness or dull ache after radiofrequency ablation of the saphenous vein is common and should typically subside in 24-48 hours. You may need to take some anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen. Pain behind the knee is an uncommon side effect and may be due to a thrombosed varicosity, local hematoma or (rarely) a clot in popliteal vein, which is the deep vein behind knee. At our facility, an ultrasound scan is used to diagnose and treat these conditions.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
It depends on how long ago the procedure was performed. You need to return to the doctor and, at the very minimum, have an ultrasound and follow-up examination.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
The common side effects of an ablation are: bruising, swelling and "lumps and bumps" due to the vein clotting post-procedure, or trapped blood from the microphlebectomies. Other side effects could be: numbness due to nerve irritation, or drainage from the tiny holes made for the tumescent anesthesia. What you are feeling is normal post-ablation and should resolve with heat application to the area and ibuprofen.
Published on Jul 11, 2012