WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Why is it important to manage my pain after surgery? It is important to manage your pain after surgery so you can rest and heal. Pain management will also help you return to your normal activities. How can I manage my pain with medicines? Your healthcare provider will tell you what medicines to take for pain. Take your medicines as directed. You may need any of the following: - Acetaminophen helps decrease pain. Follow directions. This medicine can cause liver damage if not taken correctly.
- NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, help decrease swelling, pain, and fever. This medicine is available with or without a doctor's order. NSAIDs can cause stomach bleeding or kidney problems in certain people. If you take blood thinner medicine, always ask your healthcare provider if NSAIDs are safe for you. Always read the medicine label and follow directions.
- Prescription pain medicine can be given as a pill, a patch, or a cream. Ask how to take this medicine safely.
- Anxiety medicine may help you feel less anxious and decrease your pain.
What else can I do to help decrease my pain? - Apply heat on your surgery area for 20 to 30 minutes every 2 hours for as directed. Heat helps decrease pain and muscle spasms.
- Apply ice on your surgery area for 15 to 20 minutes every hour or as directed. Use an ice pack, or put crushed ice in a plastic bag. Cover it with a towel. Ice helps prevent tissue damage and decreases swelling and pain.
- Massage therapy may help relax tight muscles and decrease pain.
- Physical therapy teaches you exercises to help improve movement and strength and decrease pain.
- Self-hypnosis is a way to direct your attention to something other than your pain. For example, you might repeat a positive statement about ignoring the pain or seeing the pain in a positive way.
- Music may help increase your energy level and improve your mood. It may help reduce pain by triggering your body to release endorphins. These are natural body chemicals that decrease pain.
- Distraction teaches you to focus your attention on something other than pain. For example, play cards, visit with family, or watch TV.
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a portable device that is placed over the area of pain. It uses mild, safe electrical signals to help control pain.
- Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) uses mild, safe electrical signals to relax the nerves that cause your pain. An electrode is implanted near your spinal cord during a procedure.
When should I contact my healthcare provider? - Your pain does not go away, or gets worse, even after you take medicine.
- You feel too sleepy or groggy.
- You have itching, a rash, or nausea from your medicine.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
When should I seek immediate care or call 911? |