When will the swollen, tender and cord-like veins in my leg disappear?

I had the VNUS closure procedure done almost five weeks ago and still have swollen, tender and cord-like veins on the inside of my leg. When will they disappear? Also, can sleeping on my side with the veins pressing against the mattress delay the healing?

Answers from doctors (8)


Center for Vein Care and Surgery

Published on Apr 10, 2013

The closer your saphenous vein lies to the surface, the more likely a person will develop a tender palpable cord in my experience. If the vein was significantly large, it may contribute to the size of the cord as well. This may take several weeks to months to resolve, although the patient will also notice some benefit in relief of the pre-treatment symptoms after closure. Time will eventually resolve this cord, but it can be up to a year or longer in a few patients. I recommend you use moisturizing lotion daily to massage the legs, as it seems to ease the discomfort and may expedite resolution of the cord. I don't believe sleeping on your side will delay healing in my opinion.

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Answered by Center for Vein Care and Surgery

The closer your saphenous vein lies to the surface, the more likely a person will develop a tender palpable cord in my experience. If the vein was significantly large, it may contribute to the size of the cord as well. This may take several weeks to months to resolve, although the patient will also notice some benefit in relief of the pre-treatment symptoms after closure. Time will eventually resolve this cord, but it can be up to a year or longer in a few patients. I recommend you use moisturizing lotion daily to massage the legs, as it seems to ease the discomfort and may expedite resolution of the cord. I don't believe sleeping on your side will delay healing in my opinion.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


South Palm Cardiovascular Associates

Published on Mar 13, 2013

The swollen, tender and cord-like veins you mentioned should disappear in a few weeks. Or, your doctor could do a small procedure to extract the clotted blood. The latter will depend, however, on the type of procedure you initially had.

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Answered by South Palm Cardiovascular Associates

The swollen, tender and cord-like veins you mentioned should disappear in a few weeks. Or, your doctor could do a small procedure to extract the clotted blood. The latter will depend, however, on the type of procedure you initially had.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Miller Vein

Published on Mar 12, 2013

Everyone heals at a different pace. These veins could disappear in weeks or several months, but the point is that they should resolve. This, of course, is assuming that the veins feel like hard cords. If you still have varicose veins that don't resolve after a few months, they would need further treatment.

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Answered by Miller Vein

Everyone heals at a different pace. These veins could disappear in weeks or several months, but the point is that they should resolve. This, of course, is assuming that the veins feel like hard cords. If you still have varicose veins that don't resolve after a few months, they would need further treatment.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Advanced Vein Center

Published on Mar 12, 2013

It can take several months for the cord-like veins to resolve. It does not matter how you sleep, the effects of the procedure will not be altered.

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Answered by Advanced Vein Center

It can take several months for the cord-like veins to resolve. It does not matter how you sleep, the effects of the procedure will not be altered.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Milford Vascular Institute

Published on Mar 12, 2013

Everyone heals at different rates, but most palpable veins are completely absorbed between 6-12 months. If they are still tender, wearing compression stockings will help promote healing.

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Answered by Milford Vascular Institute

Everyone heals at different rates, but most palpable veins are completely absorbed between 6-12 months. If they are still tender, wearing compression stockings will help promote healing.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


General Vascular Surgery Group

Published on Mar 11, 2013

It usually takes 3-4 months for the symptoms to go away. No, sleeping on the side with the treat veins will not delay healing.

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Answered by General Vascular Surgery Group

It usually takes 3-4 months for the symptoms to go away. No, sleeping on the side with the treat veins will not delay healing.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialists

Published on Mar 11, 2013

The cord you are feeling is the closed and inflamed saphenous vein in the subcutaneous fatty layer. This may take months to soften up. The mattress will not adversely affect your healing time.

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Answered by Vein Specialists

The cord you are feeling is the closed and inflamed saphenous vein in the subcutaneous fatty layer. This may take months to soften up. The mattress will not adversely affect your healing time.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Mar 11, 2013

Clots are normal following VNUS closure procedures. They could take 2 months to resolve. Heat and anti-inflammatories will help this. How you sleep will not affect your results.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Clots are normal following VNUS closure procedures. They could take 2 months to resolve. Heat and anti-inflammatories will help this. How you sleep will not affect your results.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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