Post-surgical pain is the pain that follows a surgical procedure. It is a natural response to the “trauma” of surgery. Post-surgical pain can be felt after any surgical procedure no matter how minor or major the operation.

Every patient experiences pain differently, which is why it is essential for pain management doctors to examine each patient and determine treatment on a case by case basis.

Why is post-surgical pain control so important?
Post-surgical pain control is important for the following reasons:
  • Post surgical pain control can help a patient recover faster
  • Post surgical pain control can help prevent complications, including chronic pain
  • Post surgical pain control allows the patient to feel more comfortable

What type of post surgical pain will I have?
Post surgical pain may not always be located where you expect. During surgery tissues and nerve endings are traumatized, which can cause pain in many different areas. Types of post surgical pain you may experience include:
  • Muscle pain
  • Throat pain
  • Pain when moving
  • Bone pain
  • Joint pain
  • Incisional pain

What are the types of post surgical pain treatments?
Depending on your needs following surgery, you may receive one or more of the post surgical pain treatment options listed below:
  • Intravenous Patient-Controlled Analgesia (PCA) - The patient pushes a button and self
    administers low doses of intravenous narcotic medication via a pump for the relief
    of pain. Most commonly used for postoperative pain relief.
  • Patient Controlled Epidural Analgesia - An epidural or intrathecal catheter is inserted,
    and local anesthetic or narcotics are used via a pump to deliver small doses to the spinal
    nerves. Most commonly used for obstetrical procedures and for postoperative pain
    in the lower body.
  • Nerve block injections - Nerve block injections are used to relieve pain in organs
    or regions of the body. These nerves are blocked using a nerve block injection
    of anesthetic or anti-inflammatory medicine to block the pain signal coming from
    a certain area of the body or to reduce inflammation in that area.
  • Pain medications
     o Non-Opioid (non-narcotic) Analgesics – relieve mild to moderate pain and are a milder
         form of a pain killer
     o Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID medications) – used to treat
         inflammation and mild to moderate pain.
     o Opioid analgesics - to relieve moderate to severe pain.

For additional information post surgical pain please call Southeast Pain Care to schedule an appointment with one of our pain management doctors.