Tips for Managing Pain Immediately After Surgery

Key Takeaways

• Implementing effective pain management techniques after surgery can expedite recovery, reduce complications, and improve overall comfort.
• In addition to following your care team’s instructions for medication, you should try employing non-drug strategies, such as cold and heat therapy and gentle movement.
• Prioritizing rest, nutrition, and hydration is also important for pain management after surgery—you should eat anti-inflammatory foods, drink plenty of water, and get substantial sleep.
• For lower limb surgeries like knee or hip replacements, elevating the area and wearing doctor-provided compression garments can ease swelling.

Why Immediate Pain Management Matters

For many patients, the first 24 to 72 hours after a surgery can be the most challenging part of the healing process. Pain may be the most prominent during this time, since the body is working hard to repair tissues, control inflammation, and restore function.

Some common sources of pain after surgery include tissue trauma or nerve irritation at the incision site, muscle soreness from how you were positioned during the procedure, and inflammation.

Pain management after surgery is crucial, as uncontrolled pain can limit your ability to move and make it harder to perform breathing exercises and participate in physical therapy, which are essential for preventing post-surgery complications like blood clots or pneumonia. 

The comprehensive guide below can help relieve pain after a joint replacement or similar surgeries by equipping you with helpful tips. However, you should get clearance from your medical provider before trying a new approach for managing pain after surgery.

Understand Your Pain Management Plan

By addressing discomfort early through post-surgery pain management techniques, you can promote a smoother healing process and reduce the risk of experiencing long-term, pain-related issues. 

Before leaving the medical facility, your care team should walk you through a detailed plan for pain management after surgery. For example, they may outline precautions to take after hip surgery, such as avoiding low chairs or crossing your leg to protect the joint and facilitate proper healing.

Some elements included in many pain management plans are:

• Which medications you should take and when
• Common side effects you may experience
• Red flags that warrant contacting your provider
• Guidance on when to switch from more potent, doctor-prescribed medications to over-the-counter options

When it comes to pain medications, it is important to closely follow prescribed dosages because taking too little can leave you in unnecessary pain, while taking too much can cause potentially dangerous side effects. If pain ever feels unmanageable on an existing pain management plan, the patient should contact their care team rather than adjusting their dose on their own.

Many providers will also integrate non-medication techniques into their patients’ pain management plan to support overall comfort. By combining approaches, you can often achieve better pain relief with fewer drugs.

Medication Management

Medications play a crucial role in most patients’ post-surgery pain management plans. Nevertheless, they must be used appropriately and safely to achieve the best results possible. The table below illustrates common types of pain medications recommended by surgeons or anesthesiologists, along with their potential advantages and drawbacks.

Some tips for preventing issues while taking medications like the ones listed in the table above are:

• When appropriate, take medications at consistent intervals rather than waiting until pain becomes severe
• Keep a written log of what medications you have taken and when, especially if you’re alternating between medication types
• Talk to your medical provider about any over-the-counter supplements or herbal remedies to avoid unpleasant drug interactions

Cold and Heat Therapy

Medication isn’t the only aspect of post-surgery pain management. Cold and heat therapy are simple, non-invasive tools that many medical providers recommend to their recovering patients. 

Cold therapy is generally considered most useful in the first 48 to 72 hours after surgery to control swelling and numb sore tissues. To practice cold therapy, you can use ice packs or gel packs, applying them to the skin around the affected area for about 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Be sure to always use a cloth barrier to protect your skin from the cold.

On the other hand, heat therapy can help with muscle tightness and stiffness because gentle warmth can increase blood flow, which helps relax muscles and improve flexibility. Still, most medical providers recommend waiting on heat therapy until after the initial inflammation stage has passed, which usually occurs a few days to a week after surgery. 

For both cold and heat therapy, you should remember to schedule breaks between applications to avoid burns or skin irritation.

Gentle Movement and Positioning

Although it may sound counterintuitive at first, gentle movement is a crucial part of pain management after surgery. Still, you should always take precautions and follow doctor-recommended tips for staying active and exercising after surgery.

Implementing doctor-approved, light activities, which can range from walking short distances to performing guided stretches, can improve circulation, reduce stiffness, and even lower pain perception in many patients, depending on the circumstances surrounding their surgery.

If you’re recovering from an orthopedic or abdominal procedure, your medical provider or physical therapist may recommend specific positions or movement techniques to reduce strain—some examples include:

• Rolling onto your side before sitting up in bed
• Adjusting your chair height to minimize bending
• Using a supportive pillow when changing positions

After building a personal relationship with you and thoroughly learning about your condition, your physical therapist will be able to guide you through safe, tailored exercises and positioning techniques that encourage healing without overloading the surgical area.

Elevation and Compression

For surgeries involving the lower limbs, such as knee replacements, ankle surgeries, or hip replacement procedures, swelling can be a significant contributor to pain and discomfort. Luckily, elevation and compression help combat this.

In most cases, elevation works best when the affected limb is raised above heart level. Many recovering patients experience the best results by lying down with their leg propped on pillows. This position can help fluid drain away from the surgical site.

Wearing compression garments or wraps is also one of the best strategies for reducing swelling after knee surgery or other lower limb procedures. However, these should only be used per your provider’s instructions to avoid hindering circulation.

Mind-Body Approaches

Post-surgery pain isn’t always solely physical. In fact, it can have many emotional and psychological components. Therefore, incorporating mind-body strategies can make your overarching pain more manageable without having to take additional medications.

Some mind-body approaches to pain management after surgery include:

• Breathing exercises – Taking deep, slow breaths can activate your body’s relaxation response, which makes it easier to control surgery-induced tension.
• Meditation or guided imagery – Focusing your mind on calming images has been known to reduce pain perception in many patients.
• Progressive muscle relaxation – Alternating between tensing and relaxing different muscle groups has the potential to ease physical discomfort.

In addition to the approaches mentioned above, getting quality sleep is also an essential component of recovery. To achieve this, make sure you establish a restful environment, limit caffeine intake in the afternoon, and use pillows or supports to find a comfortable, doctor-approved sleeping position.

Nutrition and Hydration

Nutrition plays a large role in recovery for joint replacements and similar surgeries. In other words, reviewing and changing your diet and water intake can drastically improve post-surgery pain management. 

In general, it is crucial to minimize your intake of inflammatory foods that may cause joint pain, such as processed sugars, refined carbohydrates, fried foods, and red meats. Instead, opt for foods with anti-inflammatory properties, such as:

• Leafy greens like spinach or kale
• Fatty fish, such as salmon or sardines
• Berries and cherries
• Olive oil
• Nuts

Staying well-hydrated supports tissue repair, keeps your energy levels stable, and reduces the risk of constipation, which is a common side effect of many pain medications.

Plan Ahead for a Smoother Recovery

Most medical providers agree that the best time to prepare for managing pain after surgery is before the procedure even begins. Having your medications, ice packs, supportive pillows, and any mobility aids you may need ready at home can be helpful. You could also benefit from proactively arranging assistance with meals, chores, or transportation during early recovery stages.

Then, during recovery, keep an open dialogue with your medical provider. If something feels off, whether it’s unexpected pain, significant swelling, or unpleasant medication side effects, you should tell your doctor immediately. Early intervention can help you catch minor problems, stopping them from becoming major setbacks.

Get Professional Assistance with Pain Management After Surgery

Typically, effective post-surgery pain management requires medication, gentle movement, tailored physical therapies, and various lifestyle adjustments. By implementing pain management immediately after surgery, you can reduce discomfort, improve mobility, and get back to everyday activities more quickly.

The Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale is proud to perform top-of-the-line, minimally invasive joint replacement surgeries that encourage fast recoveries. Our team’s world-class, attentive care doesn’t stop right after surgery; we provide ongoing support to help patients manage pain after surgery to help them return to their regular schedule as soon as possible.

If you have joint complications, contact the Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale today to schedule an initial consultation. Our knowledgeable medical professionals can recommend personalized pain management strategies that will help you recover comfortably and confidently after your surgery.