I had ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy 3 weeks ago. One injection site was my inner calf, about 4-5 inches above ankle near the side of my tibia bone. This area still has pain and is very sensitive to touch, but there is no swelling or bruising. Any idea as to what I should do?
This can happen, and is likely due to normal extravasation of the sclerosant into the surrounding tissues. Just mild pain relievers and ice may help.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Have you had a follow-up appointment yet? If not, then make sure you have one with your physician. The way the sclero works is it creates a clot in the vein, which in turn creates scar tissue to be reabsorbed by your body. Sometimes it may take up to a few months for the vein to be completely healed. Either way, a follow-up with your treating physician is always recommended.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
The inflammatory response from sclerotherapy causes the pain. It is most noticeable when a larger vein is injected or the medicine extravasates into the skin or fatty tissue. The pain will usually resolve in 3 to 6 weeks. Hot compresses may help. Taking an NSAID (like Advil or Alleve) usually helps too.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
It can be normal to have pain and tenderness. When veins are treated that
are closer to the surface, there a tiny nerves and not much tissue in that area, so it could take a few weeks to months to completely subside. If it does continue after that, then you do need to follow up.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
You may have some residual phlebitis from the injection of the sclerosing solution. Your treating physician should perform ultrasound to ensure that is the problem. Although we don't see this very often, you can try applying local warmth (heating pad on low, warm facecloth etc) for 10 mins at a time but frequently. An over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication such as Aleve or Ibuprofen taken 3 times a day can also help.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
You have superficial thrombophlebitis. This should resolve with Ibuprofen.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
It sounds like you have trapped blood in the vein(s) that were treated. The result is a superficial phlebitis that is probably the source of your pain in that treated area. Your doc should be able to fix it quickly with a single follow up. If your doc does not know what is causing your pain, then you probably need to find a vein doc who understands the potential consequences of sclerotherapy.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
This could be related to trapped blood. You should be rechecked by the physician who performed the sclerotherapy.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
You have superficial phlebitis from the sclerotherapy. This is not dangerous and is very common after sclerotherapy due to inflammation and the process of the vein closing. Typically, this resolves in 4-6 weeks. You can try NSAIDS like ibuprofen or Aleve, ice to the area, and wearing compression stockings during the day to help improve the pain and speed up the healing process.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Take Ibuprofen, Tylenol, and/or Aspirin. Also, put a heating pad on the area as often as possible and massage the area. If you take these measures, it will get better with time.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
You just have to wait it out. However, if the pain increases, or if swelling occurs, you should return to your treating physician for an examination.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
You most likely have chemically induced inflammation in the injected vein. Heat/aleve/stocking will help.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
This could be a result of the sclerotherapy solution leaking outside of the vein and irritating the surrounding tissue. It could also be nerve irritation. I would treat with symptomatically with warm wet compresses to the area and Ibuprofen. If this doesn't help, follow up with your treating physician.
Published on Jul 11, 2012