What To Do About Chronic Pain After Surgery

Millions undergo surgery in hopes of coming out of it with less pain. Unfortunately, 10-50% of those patients will experience new or worse pain. 

What’s worse, some doctors tell them that there’s nothing they can do about the new symptoms.

That’s not the case when you see one of our foot and ankle surgery specialists. 

Here at the US Neuropathy Centers, we understand the reality of postoperative pain and offer the treatments you need to finally find relief. 

What causes pain after surgery?

Pain and discomfort are a natural part of the recovery process, but when that pain lasts for months afterward, you have chronic postoperative pain. Along with chronic pain, you may also experience:

• Shooting pain that travels from your foot up through your leg
• Sensitivity to hot and cold
• Weakness
• Feeling as though you’re stepping on a pebble
• Numbness
• Tingling or burning sensation on the bottom of your foot

It can be difficult to pinpoint a single cause of chronic postoperative pain. 

Many believe that it stems from postoperative complications, such as nerve damage, tissue damage, scar tissue formation, and infections. Others believe that preexisting health factors may predispose you to pain. Some of these include:

• Having a chronic pain disorder, such as fibromyalgia
• Having a preexisting nerve condition, such as peripheral neuropathy
• Being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis
• Being older
• Having a history of anxiety and depression

The type of surgery you have may also contribute to your likelihood of postoperative pain. Surgeries that are longer or more complicated are more likely to result in persistent pain. 

One of the most common causes of chronic postoperative pain is nerve impingement. When operating on smaller areas, such as your feet and ankles, there’s more opportunity for complications following the procedure. 

The swelling that often accompanies surgery can put pressure on your nerves and cause severe symptoms. 

What are my treatment options?

Chronic pain after surgery is a harsh reality for most. But it doesn’t have to be for you. 

We begin by conducting a thorough assessment of your pain. We use a variety of diagnostic tools, including electromyography (EMG), nerve conduction studies, and MRIs to determine the exact location and cause of your nerve or tissue damage. 

Once we’ve located the source of your pain, we create a treatment plan customized to your needs. 

Most often, we recommend a nerve block. Nerve blocks involve injecting medication into the painful areas of your foot or ankle. The medication neutralizes the pain signals so you feel more comfortable. 

We also offer electrical nerve stimulation treatments, which involve using electrical pulses to block pain signals. We implant a wire lead near your impinged nerve and connect it to a small external pulse transmitter. With remote control, we customize the intensity and frequency of the pulses. 

If you suspect that you have chronic postoperative pain, don’t hesitate to request an appointment at our Marietta, Georgia, office today.