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>> If you're going to have surgery, it is very common to feel nervous about surgical pain.
Many people want to know, what does pain after surgery feel like?
How long does pain last after surgery?
How will pain after surgery be managed?
We will cover these topics and more in this video.
What does pain after surgery feel like?
Everybody's brain and body interpret pain differently.
Therefore, everybody experiences pain after surgery differently.
You may feel a variety of sensations, including pain that is dull, throbbing, or worse at night.
Throughout your surgical experience, we will partner with you on using a variety
of pain management techniques to help manage your pain.
However, you should expect to feel some pain after surgery.
Unless your surgeon instructs you to stay still for a while after the procedure,
the goal is often to keep your pain manageable enough to participate in activities
that will help your recovery, such as physical therapy and sleeping comfortably.
It is important to start moving soon after surgery to regain functionality.
Remember that some pain after surgery means your body is healing.
It is a natural part of the process.
How long does pain after surgery last?
The length of pain after surgery varies from person to person,
and depends on the type of surgery.
Let's look at total knee replacement as an example.
After knee replacement, initial pain from surgery may last several weeks,
with some pain lingering in the soft tissues as you continue
to heal and perform certain activities.
For the first day or two after surgery,
your pain may be reduced while the pain management techniques you received
at the hospital are still in effect.
After these wear off, you may notice an initial increase in pain.
This is normal, and there are different ways to manage the pain, including non-medicine methods
of pain relief, such as ice, relaxation techniques, or distraction,
and non-opioid pain relief medicines approved by your surgeon.
Opioids may also be included as part of your treatment plan as needed.
As you heal, stiffness or soreness may linger for several months.
You can talk to your surgeon about what else to expect for your situation.
How will my pain after surgery be managed?
Routine versus Non-routine Pain Management.
Routine Pain Management.
Prior to surgery, you will have a chance to talk with your surgical team
about your medical history and any questions or concerns you may have.
Your team will tailor pain management methods to your needs.
During surgery, our team uses regional analgesic techniques, which are pain management techniques
that only affects specific areas of the body to prevent pain at the surgical site.
The effects of these techniques can sometimes last a day or two after surgery.
After surgery, you will be given instructions on using multiple methods of pain relief
to relieve your pain as you heal.
Non-routine Pain Management.
If your medical team determines that you need non-routine pain management care,
we have a specialized team available to work with you
and your surgeon to tailor a plan to your needs.
Preoperative pain consultation
and an interdisciplinary pain management service may be part of your pain management plan.
Alternative Pain Management Strategies.
Some pain management plans may also include alternative methods of pain relief,
such as a take-home nerve block catheter, acupuncture, or other non-traditional methods.
Pain Management at HSS.
At HSS, not only do we have the best orthopedic surgeons in the United States,
we also have the most experienced anesthesiologist and pain management doctors
to help ensure that pain doesn't prevent you
from reaching your functional goals after surgery.
We use the most advanced techniques to ensure your safety,
and help manage your pain before, during, and after surgery.
If you have any questions about pain management, please do not hesitate
to reach out to your medical care team.