The Best Post Surgery Pain Relief

Among the concerns when considering surgery as a treatment option is the level of pain and method of pain relief that will be used following the procedure. While some amount of pain is inevitable, proper pain relief options exist to prevent severe levels of pain. Discuss options with your physician to find what treatment will work best for the type of surgery as well as the patient.

For Major Surgery

• After undergoing a major surgery, the use of IV pain relief is a common form of treatment. Before surgery, patients will often receive an IV, which the doctor will keep in following the surgery as a way to administer the pain medication. Common medications include morphine and fentanyl. Often this form of relief uses a PCA, or Patient Controllled Analgesia, where the patient can push a button to administer more medicine. Safeguards are built in to the system to prevent an overdose.

  An epidural or spinal analgesia are other common methods of pain relief. In an epidural analgesia, a catheter is inserted into the epidural space in the spine near the spinal fluid. This can be kept in place for days while administering continuous medication as needed. A spinal anagesia, on the other hand, is a one-time insertion of pain medication directly into the spinal fluid. While this form of relief is easier and faster-acting, it doesn't last as long as other treatment methods.

  Nerve blocks are another form of relief, used when pain is confined to one area of the body, such as an arm or leg. Anesthesia is administered to the nerves in that region of the body, preventing the message of pain from being sent to the brain. A single injection can work for a few hours, while the insertion of a catheter can provide relief for a longer period of time.

For Minor Surgery and Home Care

• Local anesthetics, such as novocaine, are often injected into the site of the wound for relief to a small area of the body for a short amount of time. Using a catheter as also an option when using local anesthetics, providing longer relief.

  Opioid medications, similar to those used in IV treatments, are often provided in the form of a pill to take orally. These can be habit forming and can also cause nausea, drowsiness and constipation. Often these medications are combined with acetaminophen (found in Tylenol, other OTC pain medications, cold medicines, and sleep aids), so the advice of a doctor or pharmacist should be sought before taking any additional medicines containing acetaminophen.

  NSAIDS, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, are often used post-surgically to reduce swelling, soreness and minor pain. Following major surgery, combining NSAIDS and opioids is highly effective in providing pain relief while minimizing the side effects.

Alternative Treatments

• Aside from using medications to relieve pain, there are alternative methods that can assist in lessening stress and anxiety, which can worsen the pain. These include listening to soft music, changing your position in bed, using relaxation tapes or guided imagery and performing breathing exercises. The use of hot and cold therapy is helpful in reducing swelling. Also, sometimes hospital will provide equipment such as splints or pillows to assist in pain relief. Use these as directed by your physician.