After surgery, you’ll likely experience acute pain around the procedure site. Various pain management techniques can help you cope as you heal from your surgery.
Managing pain after a surgical procedure can help improve your quality of life as you recover. It may also help you avoid complications, such as the development of chronic pain.
Both over-the-counter and prescription-strength medications can help with pain management. In some cases, doctors may prescribe opioids.
Other pain management techniques may also be available, depending on your circumstances.
Acute pain is often sharp and has a sudden onset. It typically lasts less than 7 days but may last up to 30 days.
Acute pain after a surgical procedure is a common occurrence. Though surgery is often necessary, it causes trauma to your body, which can trigger pain, soreness, and other side effects.
As you recover, your pain should start to decrease. If it does not, let your doctor know so they can help determine whether there are additional concerns causing your pain.
Postoperative (post-op) pain management helps you feel better and can play an important role in recovery.
Effective pain relief can allow you to get out of bed and move around a bit after a procedure. This can help prevent blood clots from forming.
You might also find that pain management helps you recover more quickly in the hospital, which means you can go home sooner.
It’s crucial to follow your doctor’s specific instructions and to regularly update your doctor on your progress.
Studies have also shown that inadequately controlled post-op pain can lead to the development of chronic pain.
You may be able to manage post-op pain in several ways.
“General recommendations for pain post-surgery depend on the type of surgery the patient had,” said Dickran Altounian, DO, a double board certified physician in pain management and physical medicine and rehabilitation. “Based on the type of surgery, the pain management plan would be individualized for the patient.”
Some of the common methods are described below.
Pain medications
Pain medications are often used immediately after a surgical procedure and throughout the recovery process.
In the hospital, you may receive pain medications through intravenous (IV) lines or by mouth. These medications may be either over-the-counter or prescription-strength acetaminophen (Tylenol) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Motrin).
NSAIDs can also help reduce inflammation around the surgical site.
For severe pain, a doctor may prescribe opioids for short-term use. Opioids block nerve signals to your brain from your organs and other tissues.
The healthcare professionals who are treating you after the procedure should give you detailed instructions on when and how to use pain medications at home as you continue to recover.
Local anesthesia
Local anesthetics are injections that relieve pain in specific areas of your body. They provide a numbing sensation by targeting the local nerves.
For small procedures, you may need only local anesthesia. For example, a dermatologist may numb only a small area of skin before removing a mole.
Once the anesthetic wears off, you might need additional pain relief medications to aid in your recovery.
Epidurals
An epidural involves placing a small, soft catheter in the small of your back.
Doctors often recommend epidurals to provide pain relief during labor and delivery, but an epidural
Post-op medications can also be delivered through an epidural.
Nerve blocks
Healthcare professionals may use nerve blocks as an alternative to opioids for postsurgical pain management. By targeting specific nerves, these blocks can provide specific pain relief that may be as effective as opioids without the risk of addiction.
The effectiveness will depend on the type of surgery you had and how well you respond to the nerve block.
Non-medication pain relief
Healthcare professionals may also recommend non-medical interventions for pain relief after a surgical procedure.
Altounian mentioned that other pain relief management plans would include “a period of rest with gradual increase in activity level, a dietary plan, and being vigilant about monitoring for signs of infection.”
Other common methods to help ease pain include:
- applying a heating pad to the area
- using an ice pack
- learning relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises
After a surgical procedure, you should follow all recommendations from your healthcare team. These may include when and how much medications to take and when to see your healthcare team for follow-ups.
Your pain levels should start to slowly decrease during your recovery at home. Make sure to take steps to manage your pain to help
“You should seek medical attention when pain is out of proportion and not responding to the prescribed post-op pain medications,” Altounian said.
If your pain continues or if you develop new pain or other symptoms, you should talk with a doctor.
According to Altounian, new or worsening pain may be a sign of complications after surgery, such as “infection, blood clots, hematoma, nerve damage, or other factors that need to be addressed to ensure proper healing.”
If you’re taking opioids, make sure to follow all instructions from your doctor. Opioids have a high chance of misuse if taken incorrectly or for long periods of time.
You should let your doctor know if you experience any side effects from medications. They may recommend different medications or therapies to help manage pain.
Post-op pain management can help improve your outcome and may help prevent chronic pain from developing. Pain management typically begins in the hospital and continues once you get home.
While you may need to take medications and take other steps to manage your pain, it is important to follow any instructions that your healthcare team provides. Post-op pain management can also involve non-medication methods such as ice, heating pads, or relaxation techniques.