Walk from the first day
After the procedure, you are asked to get up and walk the same day. Walking activates the calf muscle pump, helps blood flow out of the deep veins and reduces the risk of clots. Short but frequent walks during the day are much better than staying still for long periods.
Walking is part of the treatment.
Recovery day by day
- First dayYou will have a dressing or a stocking on. You start walking the same day. Do not let your leg hang down for long periods; when sitting or lying down, raise your leg slightly.
- First weekWear the stocking during the day for the period you were told. Tightness, bruising and mild pain along the vein are normal and gradually decrease. You may use the pain reliever recommended by your physician.
- 1 – 2 weeksMost patients return to desk work within a few days. Avoid heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, hot baths, saunas and long periods in the sun during this period.
- Follow-upAt the follow-up examination, the treated vein and the deep veins are assessed with Doppler ultrasound. Do not miss your follow-up date.
Bathing, stockings and daily life
You are usually asked to wait a day or two before showering; when you can wash will be told to you at discharge. After showering, dry the wound areas and put your stocking back on. On long journeys, stop and walk, and drink plenty of water. You can return to driving when your pain has gone and you are sure you can brake suddenly.
When should you seek care immediately?
- Increasing swelling and pain in the calf
- Sudden shortness of breath or chest pain (call 112)
- Fever, or increasing redness or discharge at the wound site
- Bleeding that soaks through the dressing and does not stop
Follow-up and appointments. Follow-up is carried out at the Cardiac and Vascular Surgery Outpatient Clinic of Tatvan State Hospital. Appointments are booked through MHRS; details are on the Appointments and Contact page.
Related pages
Varicose vein treatmentTreatment steps and options
Deep vein thrombosisSudden swelling and pain in one calf