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What Causes Visible Veins Post Sclerotherapy?
Question: Hi. I had sclerotherapy done one and a half weeks ago. On Saturday I started experiencing pain and noticed the appearance of very visible veins around my inner right ankle/inner foot area. The pain has gotten progressively worse. Areas around injection sights above the ankle lower leg are tender. However, there is no swelling of the lower leg or ankle. Could this just be a case of trapped blood from the sclerotherapy? If there were some kind of phlebitis going on should there not be swelling? Thank you
Brief Answer:
Looks phlebitis.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
Your absolutely right in asking the right question : If there were some kind of phlebitis going on should there not be swelling?
Since the phlebitis is a local condition if the vein, it may not give swelling 'locally' unless the inflammation progresses beyond the outer lining of the vein ( tunica adventitia ).
And the area can not be swollen unless the venous drainage is totally blocked, meaning in your case the area of lower leg and ankle are drained well bu another veins.
Trapped blood from the sclerotherapy might have given the swelling immediately.
Looks phlebitis.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
Your absolutely right in asking the right question : If there were some kind of phlebitis going on should there not be swelling?
Since the phlebitis is a local condition if the vein, it may not give swelling 'locally' unless the inflammation progresses beyond the outer lining of the vein ( tunica adventitia ).
And the area can not be swollen unless the venous drainage is totally blocked, meaning in your case the area of lower leg and ankle are drained well bu another veins.
Trapped blood from the sclerotherapy might have given the swelling immediately.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Does this mean that this has caused venous insufficiency/reflux and the potential for new varicosities as a result? Nothing is relieving this. I am concerned. The area is not red but there is a lot of matting and pressurized vein sensation around the upper part of the ankle
Brief Answer:
No venous insufficiency NOR reflux
Detailed Answer:
NO.
This does not mean that there is venous insufficiency or reflux.
As there is no edema, this is suggestive of the best collateral venous drainage.
If the valves along the collateral veins are intact, there is no fear of potential of new varicose veins development.
This will take time to settle. The body too takes care of this and heals on its own. There is no redness no there is nothing to worry about infection much. Pressurized vein sensation is due to entrapped edema into the vein, there is no way for the edema to leak out and get reabsorbed immediately.
Do not rub over it. No local ointments really work. Give rest to the are. Keep the leg in elevated position above the heart level , whenever possible / you are taking rest or lying down. May help relive the pain.
No venous insufficiency NOR reflux
Detailed Answer:
NO.
This does not mean that there is venous insufficiency or reflux.
As there is no edema, this is suggestive of the best collateral venous drainage.
If the valves along the collateral veins are intact, there is no fear of potential of new varicose veins development.
This will take time to settle. The body too takes care of this and heals on its own. There is no redness no there is nothing to worry about infection much. Pressurized vein sensation is due to entrapped edema into the vein, there is no way for the edema to leak out and get reabsorbed immediately.
Do not rub over it. No local ointments really work. Give rest to the are. Keep the leg in elevated position above the heart level , whenever possible / you are taking rest or lying down. May help relive the pain.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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