Managing Pain
My job is to ensure that your recovery following surgery is as comfortable as possible. I will provide a tailored strategy for you to manage any postoperative discomfort you may experience. An essential component of this strategy is patient education, so please read the following outline prior to your operation.
Types of pain relief
Regular simple oral analgesics: usually paracetamol and an anti-inflammatory (ibuprofen, diclofenac or celecoxib). Taken regularly for a set period of time post-operatively.
Regular prescribed analgesics: strong prescribed sustained-release medications such as tramadol, targin, tapentadol and morphine. These may be prescribed regularly for a set period of time post-operatively.
‘Breakthrough’ prescribed analgesics: strong prescribed immediate-release medications such as tramadol, targin, tapentadol and morphine. These are prescribed to be taken at your ‘when required’ for pain.
Patients can underestimate the effect of simple analgesics on their pain relief. It is essential to take regular simple analgesics for your pain relief, before taking stronger prescription medication. Even if stronger medication is required, this should be taken in addition to regular simple analgesic medication.
“Paracetamol and anti-inflammatories have (in the vast majority of cases) been shown to be effective in relieving pain. They have minimal side-effects, and reduce the dose of additional opioid pain-medication required.”
4. Additional types of pain relief (only for inpatient stays):
The following methods of pain relief are appropriate for the hospital-setting only, and used in conjunction with regular simple analgesics.
Peripheral nerve catheters: similar to a peripheral nerve block, except that a small plastic tube (catheter) is placed next to the nerve to allow ongoing nerve block for up to 4 days.