I had sclerotherapy for spider veins performed two weeks ago on my leg. I have been in a great deal of pain since. All my sore spots are large veins in my foot/ankle. On a follow-up, I was told they injected them. When I asked why, I was told that every vein that they can see can be injected in the foot since I have so many. I have a hard time believing this and I now don't trust them. Is any of this true? Also, with so many large veins injected, how long before I can walk without pain?
If the larger varicose veins were injected with foam, this can cause a local reaction called thrombophlebitis, in which the vein itself is inflamed.
This will improve. A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) such as naproxen or ibuprofen will likely improve your symptoms.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
The veins by the ankle are painful as they are on the bone. Please wear compression stockings, it will relieve the pain. If for any reason the solution accidentally was injected outside of the vein, it could be painful. It could take a while for the pain to go away.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Prior to sclerotherapy, you should have an initial consultation to check if your a good candidate. Your eligibility will be decided on an individual basis. Generally speaking, sclero is only used to inject spider veins & certain (also small) reticular veins, not varicose veins. Also a follow-up visit should be done to check if any tender areas need to be aspirated. Also, you should NOT be in so much pain that you can't walk. My advice is to call the doctor who treated you and ask for a follow-up appt.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
The pain is inflammation from the injections. Ibuprofen will help. I usually do not inject veins on the foot.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
I inject foot veins depending on the size and if the patient wants them injected. Larger foot veins are best treated by microphlebectomies, but smaller veins, both spiders and reticulars, can be injected too.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Usually, large veins are treated first before undertaking surface (cosmetic) sclerotherapy. Sounds like you have developed superficial phlebitis with some incompletely closed veins. Anti-inflammatory medication and Arnica gel application will help. You may need to get a second opinion if you don't wish to return to your original treating physician.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
You need to see a vascular specialist and get a second opinion on what the other doctor did.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Most of the visible veins on the foot are normal. You can have abnormal veins there too, and they can be injected. However, you should inject all of the abnormal veins in the leg above the foot first because they are feeding into these veins. The reason you have pain is because they injected you incorrectly and you got trapped blood stuck in them. The trapped blood causes inflammation and pain in these veins. If you remove the trapped blood, the pain resolves.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
I am sorry to hear about your discomfort. We inject only the veins that are abnormal.
Published on Jul 11, 2012