Recover From Surgery More Comfortably with Post-Op Pain Management

by | Sep 26, 2024

Surgery can be frightening, and the recovery process can be disruptive to everyday living. But you or your loved one does not need to suffer unnecessary pain after an operation. Garden State Pain Management has been helping people in New Jersey find relief from post-op pain for many years. 

Effective post-op pain management not only makes the recovery process less unpleasant—it can even help speed recovery and avoid neuropathic pain in the future.

This Garden State Pain Management article explains how postoperative pain management works and how it can benefit you or the person you love. 

Type and Causes of Post-Op Pain 

Even minor surgery generally involves some pain or discomfort as the body heals. Surgical techniques and technologies have evolved greatly over the past 20-30 years. One result of these advancements has been reduced recovery time and post-op pain for many procedures. However, post-op pain remains a reality, and patients deserve effective relief from it.

The Two Main Types of Pain After an Operation

1: Acute Post-Op Pain

Acute post-operative pain is experienced by virtually everyone who has surgery. This is the pain which occurs right after surgery and in early recovery. 

2: Chronic Postoperative Pain 

Chronic post-op pain is pain related to the surgery or initial injury that occurs after the normal healing period. It’s not unusual for patients to experience both types of post-operative pain. 

What Causes Postoperative Pain?

Because surgery involves breaching the body and making changes, there will always be some disruption and tissue damage. The body’s nervous system reacts, sending pain signals to the brain. 

There are three primary causes of post-op pain:

  • Surgical incision (cutting)
  • Inflammation and swelling
  • Tissue damage

Effective Post-Op Pain Management Strategies

Most patients benefit from consulting a pain management specialist before or immediately after their surgery. The reasons why are simple. Surgeons and other physicians specialize in diagnosing and operating to repair injuries or treat illnesses—you chose a specialist for a reason: their exceptional level of knowledge and experience in one particular area of medicine. It’s no different when it comes to managing post-operative pain. You will get the best results by consulting an expert in pain management. 

The two main approaches to post-op pain management are medication management and non-pharmacological post-op pain relief, which relies on methods other than medicine. Rest assured, you don’t have to choose between one or the other. Many patients use a combination of approaches. 

Here is some information about each: 

Medication Management for Postoperative Pain

A variety of medications may be brought on board to help mitigate postoperative pain following surgery. Inflamed tissue is one of the primary causes of post-op pain, especially the lingering, chronic pain that can follow surgery. This is why many of the most effective medicines are often anti-inflammatory agents. 

Non-Pharmacological Post-Op Pain Relief 

In addition to the diverse range of prescription medicines used to treat postoperative pain, there are a full spectrum of pain management approaches that don’t necessarily involve medications. These treatments may be used alone or combined with medication management for postoperative pain. The combination of pain management approaches offers the advantage of synergy (where one treatment also increases the effectiveness of another). Approaches like physical therapy can also assist the body’s natural healing and recuperative abilities to reduce pain and even shorten recovery time. 

Examples of Medications for Post-Op Pain Management

NSAIDs

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflmmatory Drugs or NSAIDs are among the most popular post-op pain management medicines. Naproxen (Aleve) or Ibuprofen (Advil) are two of the most well-known over-the-counter NSAIDs. 

Local Anesthetics 

Local anesthetics like lidocaine are also a popular choice. These drugs go right to the source of your pain to manage it directly rather than needing to travel through the digestive system, which means they work almost immediately and have few side effects. 

COX-2 Inhibitors

Drugs like celecoxib (Celebrex), called COX-2 inhibitors, can be used in place of NSAIDs in some cases as they relieve inflammation without the risk of stomach upset or other gastrointestinal effects sometimes associated with NSAIDs.

Epidural Steroid Injections

Epidural steroid injections or ESIs, include both a local anesthetic and a steroid medication. The local anesthetic numbs the area, while the steroid works over time to reduce inflammation for long-lasting post-op pain relief. 

Other Non-Narcotic Pain Relief

Other drugs like gabapentin (Neurontin) and pregabalin (Lyrica) can also be very helpful by directly addressing pain at the nerves. Some antidepressants, like amitriptyline (Elavil), can help manage chronic pain. Finally, we have topical analgesics, which are creams or patches applied directly to the skin in the affected area. They may contain capsaicin or lidocaine, for example. 

Non-Pharmacological Post-Op Pain Relief 

Physical Therapy

Probably the most popular non-drug post-operative pain management approach, physical therapy covers a wide range of treatments that can help relieve pain and improve mobility and strength over time. 

Massage Therapy

Massage feels wonderful, and it has genuine benefits for people living with chronic pain after surgery or injury. It also improves circulation, supports the body’s natural healing response, and can even shorten recovery times. 

Natural Foods, Herbs, and Supplements

While natural pain remedies may not provide the same level of relief from post-op pain as pharmacological treatments —- they have been shown to be helpful for many people, especially when combined with other measures. Just make sure to consult your doctor about any potential medication interactions first. 

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medicine practice that involves inserting thin needles into specific areas of the body. As unusual as it may still seem to Western audiences, clinical research has confirmed that acupuncture can be effective in managing mild to moderate pain. 

Post-Op Pain Management in Clifton, NJ

Most of us do not look forward to surgery but to the time after recovery when life can return to normal. Our main concern here at Garden State Pain Management is helping you or your loved one manage postoperative pain for a speedier and more pleasant recovery. 

Whether your pain is postoperative or a consequence of injury or illness — Garden State Pain Management can help. Our team of dedicated pain management specialists are here to offer you the latest pain management and treatment strategies tailored to your needs. 
Call us today to schedule your appointment, or you can conveniently book your appointment online.

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