Pain management after surgery is essential to ensure a quick recovery while also reducing your risk of developing any complications. Any surgery, no matter how big or small, should be taken seriously and patients should always follow the guidance given by their clinician when it comes to recovery and post-surgical pain control.
Unfortunately, while many patients think extensively about their surgery, many forget to consider what happens post-procedure, specifically when it comes to managing their pain. Having a structured pain management plan in place before surgery will help fast-track your healing process and save you the potential risks that could occur without a proper pain management plan.
Here are some of the main reasons why proper pain management after surgery is important to ensure a quick recovery.
Speed Your Recovery Process
It comes as no surprise that the more you follow your post-surgical pain control regime, the faster you’ll likely cover. The last thing you want to be doing is ignoring or not following specific recovery instructions recommended by your clinician. Otherwise, you risk not only delaying your recovery but potentially worsening your condition after surgery.
Depending on the type of surgery you get will influence the specific pain management care your doctor may recommend. Some common forms of post-surgical pain control may include pain medications, nerve blocks, heat or cold therapy, or even using guided imagery as a way to relax before, during, and after surgery.
Maintain Positive Quality of Life & Well-Being
You should never wait until after your surgery to decide and create a pain management plan with your doctor. Otherwise, failure to create a pain management plan (or lack thereof) puts not only your physical health and well-being at risk but your mental health too!
Intense and uncontrollable pain after surgery without a proper pain management plan in place can lead to anxiety and depression, and overall significantly impact a patient’s quality of life and happiness.
So, to maintain the best possible peace of mind and positive well-being as you recover from surgery, be sure to have and follow proper pain management after surgery to effectively recover.
Reduce the Likelihood of Developing Complications
Following a structured pain management plan after surgery helps limit your risk of developing complications like pneumonia or blood clots post-surgery. Also, an ineffective pain management plan post-surgery can lead to potentially worsening pain and discomfort, as well as the potential for immobility. Not to mention, some patients inevitably may have to stay longer in the hospital while they recover and fight off these additional complications that could have been alleviated by having a proper pain management plan in place before surgery.
Limit Opioid Medication Use
While opioid medication use in some cases may be integrated into a patient’s postoperative pain management plan to help overcome intense pain shortly after surgery, it’s essential to limit opioid medication, whenever possible. Different therapies and alternatives to opioid medications can help you safely and effectively recover from surgery. For instance, consider non-opioid pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Your doctor may also recommend non-medication pain treatment like physical therapy.
How to Find Pain Management In Hagerstown Maryland
If you are currently suffering from chronic pain then it may be time to schedule a consultation with a board certified pain management physician in your area. At Pain and Specialists we offer pain management in Hagerstown Maryland along with many offer locations in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Contact us today for a comprehensive consultation.