How to Manage Pain after Surgery
Wondering how to manage pain after surgery without heavy medications? Well, you can do this with simple strategies and some proven tips. Managing pain after surgery speed up the recovery and healing process. Severe pain can create difficulty in walking and exercising.
Apart from changing your personal routine, seeking out professional pain management experts can make your life easier. We will help you explore different possible options to manage pain after surgery. And when do you need a medical expert to treat pain? So, keep on reading the full guide.
What Type of Pain can You Feel After Surgery?
Needless to say, the surgery area is in utmost pain and discomfort. But it is temporary and goes away when your body heals. You can feel the following type of pain.
- Stabbing
- Cramping
- Throbbing
- Dull
- Constant pain
Besides the surgery area, you can feel pain in other parts of the body, including:
- Muscles pain
- Throat pain
- Movement pain
- Back pain
Be patient with the pain after surgery because it takes time to recover.
Effective Measures To Manage Pain After Surgery
Luckily, you can opt for various options to treat pain after surgery. What measure you can take depends on pain intensity and the type of surgery you had. A medical expert trained in pain management can better understand your condition and prescribe the best solution with a multidisciplinary approach.
The following ways can help you reduce pain to lead a comfortable life.
Medications
Your doctor will definitely prescribe medications to manage pain after surgery. You will be allowed to rest at home and take medication for pain relief. For the first few days, medication frequency will be higher, one pill every 4 to 6 hours. But with time, your body starts the healing process. Then the dosage is reduced and you can continue physical activities in life.
Among the medications, opioids and non-opioids are used. As per Harvard research, you should avoid taking opioid medicines. These medications have side effects and risks. Dr. Christopher Chiodo, an instructor in orthopedic surgery at Harvard Medical School, recommends using opioid medication in less than a week. He even emphasizes using it when other options don’t work.
Research of 163 knee arthroscopy patients reveals that non-opioid medication can effectively manage pain and swelling after surgery with a success rate of 82%. These non-opioid analgesics and NSAIDs include:
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- Naproxen Sodium (Aleve)
- Ibuprofen (Advil)
- Celecoxib (Celebrex)
These medications are safe to use with effective results for pain management. But side effects may also occur. You can feel dizziness, or it may be risky for liver patients.
The opioid medications include:
- Morphine
- Hydromorphone
- Codeine
- Vicodin
- Fentanyl
- Oxycodone
- Tramadol
These are the strongest medications for pain relief with immediate effect. But the side effects are more prominent. Risk includes vomiting, nausea, or constipation. But the worst thing is that you can get addicted to drugs.
Medicated Treatment
If the medications don’t work, various treatments can reduce pain. You cannot decide what type of treatment you need. So, consult a healthcare provider for selecting the right treatment. The treatments may be of the following types.
Nerve Blocks
Nerve block is ideal for treating pain after surgery. It offers pain relief for specific body parts, like the back, arm, or leg. A nerve block is more effective than opioid oral medication. Because it uses less opioid medication and directly inserts it into the area of pain. Moreover, there are fewer side effects of nerve blocks.
Simply, the nerve block is a medicated injection given to the targeted nerve for pain relief. A catheter can also be used for prolonged comfort from pain.
Epidural Analgesics
Epidural analgesics are also helpful in reducing pain after surgery. The process is simple and involves the use of a catheter with the PCA pump to transfer medicine directly to the pain point. Back area is cleaned and a numbing solution is applied. Then a needle is used to make a hole called epidural space.
The catheter containing the sedating medicine is inserted through the epidural space. The needle is removed and you will get pain relief. The whole process is safe to use with no pain and discomfort.
Non-Medication Process
The best practice is to use a combination of methods for pain. Apart from medication and medicated treatment, other remedies can help as well. Icing the affected area can help relieve pain. But don’t excessively use the icing as it can cause tissue damage. First, consult your doctor and then use.
How Med Pro Experts Ensure Your Pain Relief After Surgery With Maximum Comfort
With expert doctors and several years of experience, we at Med Pro Medical Clinic offer the necessary pain management services after surgery. We are able to offer various treatments for pain. First, our doctors will make a diagnosis on the intensity of the pain. We use a multidisciplinary approach with exercises, therapy, and medicines for effective relief. Then, we will suggest the best treatment for pain after surgery, including:
All these treatments are performed under the supervision of trained and expert doctors. Call us today and get maximum relief with a non-surgical process to move happily in your life.
English
Spanish