Is it normal to have major pain 5 days after varicose vein laser procedure?It is only in top part of leg.I had it done last tue.

Question

I felt normal pain for 3to4 days. Friday not as bad, I thought I was improving. Friday night got worse. Saturday morning hurt. Pain was getting more intense. Saturday night no sleep and even more pain. Sun was bad. I have been doing everything doc told me to do. Last night I woke up in tears. Went into doc this am and told me I looked perfect and was shaming me that I finished the pain med. I took it as directed on bottle? The scan showed bad inflammation. The doctor told me tough it out? Is this normal?

Hratch Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

You may have had a large vein that was close to the skin and ablation caused excessive tissue inflammation, or, tributary veins that also closed following the blation. Take some bromelain or swell-x pt BestH Karamanoukian MD FACS

John Landi, MD · Answer

The laser functions by heating the saphenous vein from the groin to usually just below the knee.  Because of the tumescent anesthesia there usually is little discomfort until 3 to 5 days post procedure.  This is when the anesthesia is gone and the vein is contracting from the laser.This is when the inflammatory reaction is worse.  Also , if the vein is close to the skin there may be more discomfort associated with the healing process.  Wet heat to the tender areas and ibuprofen will help.

Scott Powell, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

This pain can be normal.  First, you said the doctor said everything looked fine, so I assume he checked for a DVT.  If that was negative, then it most likely is post ablation inflammation.The laser heats up to a very high temperature.  Post op pain is normal.  I find that in a lot of patients the body reacts to the "dead" vein tissue about 3-5 days post op and can trigger a strong inflammatory response.This tends to be less with Radio frequency ablation, which I use, but still occurs.Voltaren gel can be helpful, especially if you do not tolerate NSAIDs, like Advil, etc.Narcotic pain medications may be required.If a strong, persistent inflammatory reaction, then I will sometimes use steroids, like a Medrol dose pack to suppress the inflammatory response.  As long as a DVT is not present, it sounds more like you just have a strong inflammatory response which will get better.  In the meantime, you may need more medication than the average patient.  I would talk to your doctor again.

Is it normal to have major pain 5 days after varicose vein laser procedure?It is only in top part of leg.I had it done last tue.

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Is it normal to have major pain 5 days after varicose vein laser procedure?It is only in top part of leg.I had it done last tue.

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