Rehabilitation after removal of a vein on the leg

Conservative treatment of varicose veins does not always give the desired effect. In particularly difficult cases, for the treatment of venous insufficiency, surgical methods are used, consisting in the complete or partial withdrawal of subcutaneous vessels from the venous circulation. No more than 10% of the blood circulates through the saphenous veins, so their removal does not exert a significant burden on the deep vessels. Rehabilitation after removal of a leg vein is aimed at preventing complications and speeding up recovery, and depends on the type of operation, the degree of trauma, and the individual characteristics of the patient.

Types of operations to remove veins

There are two main ways of scalpel removal of veins on the legs:

1. Phlebectomy. A classic scalpel operation, which consists in the complete removal of a vein through incisions made on the leg. It is used for large-scale lesions of the saphenous veins, and mainly in relation to large vessels.
2. Mini or microphlebectomy. Partial removal of the affected vessel through punctures in the skin using special hooks.

Complications and consequences of phlebectomy

After surgery to remove the veins, complications may occur, the likelihood and severity of which is determined by the type of surgical intervention, the features of recovery, and the patient's discipline in terms of following the doctor's recommendations. The most common side effects of the operation are:

• Bruises in the seam area;
• Bleeding of the surgical wound;
• An increase in temperature a few days after phlebectomy due to an inflammatory process in the suture area;
• Secondary bacterial infection, manifested by redness, inflammation and suppuration in the area of ​​​​the surgical scar;
• The occurrence of painful strands due to the accumulation of blood in the veins;
• Deep vein thrombosis.

Recommendations after leg vein surgery

The immediate postoperative period after removal of the veins on the leg lasts about 10 days - from the time of the operation until the moment when the stitches are removed and a rehabilitation course is prescribed.

Already the next day after the operation, it is necessary to provide compression with elastic bandages or compression stockings. This will allow the patient to walk, and perform light exercises:

1. The operated leg should not be wetted with water.
2. To improve blood circulation during sleep, it should be placed on a pillow 10-15 cm high.
3. Zelenka can be used against inflammation of the sutures, antibiotics can be used inside. If the stitch hurts, painkillers are indicated.

Rehabilitation after removal of varicose veins on the leg

Rehabilitation measures are developed by the attending physician on an individual basis. Rehabilitation after removal of varicose veins provides for a wide range of measures aimed at the fastest restoration of all body functions, primarily the operated limb. The mode of work and rest of the person being rehabilitated should include the following main points:

• Gentle working conditions;
• Moderate physical activity, special exercises;
• Special diet;
• Elastic compression;
• drug therapy;
• Massage;
• Physiotherapy.

Working conditions

Leg vein surgery, the postoperative period and rehabilitation are the basis for reviewing the entire lifestyle. First of all, it concerns working conditions. Operated for varicose veins of the legs is contraindicated in heavy and medium physical labor, work that requires prolonged standing or sitting. The mode of work should allow you to make unloading pauses, raise your legs higher than the body, perform simple exercises to improve blood and lymph microcirculation in the legs. Extreme temperatures, high humidity, vibration are unacceptable.

Physical activity

To exclude congestion in the operated leg and ensure normal blood and lymph circulation, the patient should start moving as soon as possible. Bed rest (if the doctor considers it necessary) should be observed only on the first day after the operation. The very next day, you need to start walking and doing light physical exercises, which should include:

• walking on toes and heels;
• flexion / extension of the legs in the joints;
• breeding / reducing them like scissors;
• circular rotation of the feet;
• exercise bike.

Diet

Rehabilitation after surgery on the veins of the legs requires a balanced diet aimed at restoring the body's strength, strengthening immunity, reducing blood viscosity, maintaining a normal weight, and preventing constipation. The calorie content of food and the amount of vitamins and microelements entering the body must meet the needs of the body. Pure water should be drunk at least 2 liters, excluding drinks and liquid foods.

Elastic compression

Compression therapy is indicated for all patients operated on for varicose veins. Its main goal is to improve blood circulation in the deep and superficial veins. Compression is performed using elastic bandages or compression stockings. Its duration is determined by the doctor, in some cases it can be lifelong.

Medical therapy

One of the main tasks in rehabilitation after removal of veins in the legs is the prevention of trophic disorders. For this purpose, drugs are prescribed that have a venotonic, anticoagulant, venoprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-edematous effect: aspirin, pentoxifylline, drugs based on troxerutin (troxevasin) and diosmin (detralex, venarus, phlebodia).

If due to dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract, the normal absorption of drugs is impaired, injections of antiplatelet drugs are prescribed. Medication must be continued for at least 2 weeks after surgery.

As additional funds, preparations of general strengthening and specific action are prescribed - vitamins, trace elements, antioxidants, products based on Ginkgo Biloba. The doctor may also prescribe other medications, taking into account the clinic and the individual characteristics of the patient.

Physiotherapy and Massage

To combat trophic disorders and inflammation, quartz irradiation or UHF therapy may be indicated.

Massage of a limb with a removed vein eliminates congestion and prevents the formation of blood clots. However, its need must be agreed with the doctor. Massaging should be light, carried out carefully, in the direction from bottom to top.

Additional Recommendations

The postoperative scar is formed within 5-6 months. All this time he requires a careful attitude. Here are some tips that after surgery for varicose veins on the legs will help speed up the healing of the surgical injury and avoid infection.

• You can not tear off the crusts formed on the scar. They will fall off on their own after the wound has healed.
• The seam can not be combed, to relieve itching, you can apply a little iodine to it.
• When taking a shower or bath, you must abandon hard washcloths and cosmetic scrubs.
• If spot redness appears on the seam or the ends of the threads are found, you should consult a doctor to remove them.

Conclusion

In addition to phlebectomy, phlebologists have more modern, minimally invasive methods for the radical treatment of varicose veins, which are becoming increasingly popular. These are laser coagulation, radiofrequency ablation, compression sclerotherapy. With minimally invasive methods of treating venous insufficiency, rehabilitation after removal of varicose veins in the form in which it is carried out after phlebectomy is not required.