How to Prevent Low Back Pain After 40
Many Americans 40 and older experience low back pain due to age-related changes and lifestyle factors, but it isn’t inevitable. These simple, effective tips can keep your spine healthy and pain-free at any age.
8 Different Types of Postsurgical Pain
About 80% of people who undergo surgery experience some type of postoperative pain. You might think everyone experiences pain the same way, but it commonly varies by type, severity, and duration.
Because postsurgical pain affects everyone differently, understanding the types can help you manage it more effectively and communicate your needs to your healthcare team.
At LiveWell Pain Management, interventional pain specialist Nora Taha, MD, regularly educates patients on postsurgical pain. Read on to learn about eight of the most common types so you can better prepare for your recovery.
8 common forms of postsurgical pain
Below, we explore the eight most common types of postsurgical pain and what you can expect from each.
1. Incisional pain
This type of pain occurs on or around surgical incisions (the cuts made in your skin). It’s most common in the first few days and weeks after surgery and is typically sharp or throbbing. Incisional pain often improves as you begin healing, but it may last longer, depending on the size and location of the incisions.
2. Muscle pain
You may experience this type of pain if your muscles were manipulated or cut during surgery. Muscle pain tends to feel achy or sore, similar to what you might experience after an intense workout. It’s a common side effect of spinal surgery since the muscles are often manipulated to access the vertebrae and surrounding tissues.
3. Joint pain
This type of pain makes a joint or the surrounding area feel stiff or tender. It commonly occurs after surgery to treat arthritis, such as joint replacement or joint fusion. Joint pain usually improves over time, but we often recommend physical therapy to support healing and restore mobility.
4. Nerve pain
Nerve pain, also known as neuropathic pain, is caused by nerve irritation or damage. It’s often characterized by burning, tingling, or shooting sensations that can make movement and daily activities difficult. Nerve pain can be challenging to treat and often lasts longer than other types of postsurgical pain.
5. Visceral pain
Visceral pain often happens after abdominal or chest surgery. It causes dull, deep, or cramp-like aches that can make even small movements painful. Without appropriate pain medication and recovery guidance, you may also experience nausea and vomiting.
6. Referred pain
Referred pain occurs in a different part of your body than the surgical site. For example, you might experience elbow pain after surgery for a herniated disc. This happens because different parts of your body share similar nerve pathways. Your brain can misinterpret pain signals, causing the sensation in a different area.
7. Phantom pain
Phantom pain affects about 80% of people who have an amputation. For example, if your foot is amputated due to diabetic neuropathy, you might still feel pain in the limb, even though it’s no longer there.
The exact cause of phantom pain isn’t well understood, but experts theorize that the brain undergoes a reorganization process after amputation, which can affect nerve signaling and contribute to ongoing pain.
8. Chronic postsurgical pain
Most postsurgical pain improves within a few weeks. However, some people experience chronic pain that lasts three to six months or even longer. The underlying cause of chronic postsurgical pain isn’t always obvious, but common contributors include nerve damage, inflammation, and scar tissue.
We can help you manage postsurgical pain
Dr. Taha knows that postsurgical pain can significantly affect your mobility and quality of life, which is why she regularly works with patients to help manage it. Treatments like acupuncture, regenerative medicine, and physical therapy can support recovery and make it easier to go about your daily life.
To learn more, call the nearest LiveWell Pain Management office in Elmwood Park, Englewood, or Paramus, New Jersey, or request an appointment online.
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