The type of post-surgical pain a patient feels depends on the surgical site, the type of surgery and the method that's used.
Though the majority of post-surgical pain may be associated with the incisions site, immobility due to surgery and the implantation of hardware into the body, particularly at the joints and spine can also cause moderate to severe pain post-surgery.
The less invasive the surgery is, the less likely a patient is to feel pain for an extended period of time post-surgery.
Common Sources of Post-Surgical Pain
INSERTION OF HARDWARE (SCREWS; PINS; PLATES)
When dealing with substantial injuries, particularly at joints and in the spine, temporary or permanent hardware may be used to stabilize the injury. Along with the additional stability comes additional pain. Changes in the weather and environment, particularly barometric pressure, may even raise the potential for pain around hardware. In severe cases, constant pain management may be necessary.
FORMATION OF GRANULATION OR SCAR TISSUE
While the formation scar tissue is part of the normal healing process after surgery and in fact one of the signs of successful back surgery, in some instances it can also be a source of chronic pain post-surgery. This pain is often the result of the scar tissue growth pinching or squeezing a nerve. Fortunately, there are many way of treating and managing the pain caused by scar tissue formation.
Treatment of Post-Surgical Pain
The treatment for your post-surgical pain is dependent on several different factors including the cause and the location. Pain management is, however, crucial to the healing process. Managing the pain allows you to remain flexible and mobile and take part in any rehabilitative programs. Most often, your treatment will be a combination of pain reducing injections and physical therapy. Before treatment begins, the doctor may conduct a thorough examination to make sure the plan is tailor-made to your specific needs.
