Endovenous ablation is a form of therapy used to treat varicose veins, a condition primarily characterized by enlarged or painful veins in the legs. This form of varicose vein treatment utilizes energy in the form of radiofrequency or laser light to close off large veins by burning or cauterizing them. Typically, this procedure is performed on an outpatient basis after patients receive a local anesthetic to decrease discomfort caused by the procedure. Before undergoing this procedure, patients should discuss endovenous ablation complications with a medical professional.
Bruising or Pain
The most common complications following endovenous ablation are bruising and pain at the site of treatment, the Cleveland Clinic reports. The skin surrounding the treatment site may appear unusually red, purple or blue. The affected skin region may also be tender or sensitive to the touch.Though these complications are temporary, treatment site bruising, pain or discomfort may persist for up to a week after undergoing this procedure.
Blood Clots
The formation of a blood clot within the treated vein, also called deep vein thrombosis, may occur as a complication following endovenous ablation, Soho Vein and Vascular explains. A blood clot is a small mass of sticky blood components that attaches to the inside of a vein and can interfere with normal blood flow through the vein. Deep vein thrombosis may cause symptoms of leg pain, numbness or skin discoloration in affected people. In certain cases, the blood clot may detach from the vein and flow along the bloodstream into the lungs. This severe condition is called a pulmonary embolism and requires immediate medical attention in order to prevent life-threatening medical complications.
Nerve or Vein Irritation
This form of varicose vein treatment may cause nerve or vein irritation in certain people. Irritation of the nerves in the legs may result in sensations of numbness near the site of treatment or across the shin, which typically resolve within a few weeks of treatment, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Vein irritation and inflammation, also called phlebitis, may result in tenderness, pain or redness at the site of treatment. Such complications are typically mild and subside within three to seven days of treatment, Soho Vein and Vascular explains. If phlebitis symptoms are bothersome, patients may benefit from treatment with an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain medication.
Infection
Less than one in 1,000 people who undergo endovenous ablation experience a skin infection as a complication of this procedure, RadiologyInfo.org reports. Symptoms of infection may include fever or treatment site pain, swelling or redness. Patients who experience persistent pain or discomfort at the treatment site should seek care from a physician. Typically, antibiotic treatment is necessary to resolve infection symptoms.
