Nerve and muscle pain in the neck after facial spider vein laser treatment, should I be concerned?

Question

Received laser treatment for spider veins on my cheeks & nose 4 days ago. The right side of my face is fine, virtually no bruising or redness, but the left side is bruised and swollen. The muscles on the left side of my neck, from my upper neck behind my ears, down to the collar bone, are a bit sore all day and night long as if I had pulled a muscle. If I tilt my head up or to the side in a certain way and/or touch the swollen area just under my jaw I get a painful zap. Should I be concerned?

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

It’s important to distinguish between varicose veins and spider veins when choosing between laser therapy, sclerotherapy, and vein surgery. With two board certified vein specialists, our center uses a combination of visual examination, functional flow measurements, ultrasound, transillumination, and infrared light to map out vein networks prior to therapy. Lasers can be used to treat deep varicose vein insufficiency, vein perforators, and varicose veins. Sclerotherapy is ideal for spider veins and reticular veins. Whereas surgery is reserved for severely incompetent varicose vein segments.

Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Andres Zavala, DO · Answer

There is no reason you should have pain in the neck after treatment of spider veins with laser. You likely pulled a muscle or inured your neck in a different way.  Perhaps your neck positioning during the treatment has something to do with the pain  or its completely unrelated. If the laser caused you pain and you suddenly jerked your head that could explain pulling a muscle.  Consider seeing your PCP or treating physician for an evaluation if the pain persists at this point. You may just need some rest and anti-inflammatory pain medication such as ibuprofen.

Susan Fox, DO, RPVI · Answer

It is not normal to have swelling in the neck or pain after lasering spider veins.  Maybe the position you were in strained your neck.  Maybe you slept funny or pulled a muscle in your neck.  If it does not go away in a few days, I would go back to see our physician.

Nerve and muscle pain in the neck after facial spider vein laser treatment, should I be concerned?

Answers (3)

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