If you were undergoing shoulder pain and decided to go for surgery, you would expect your pain to be gone. However, that is not always the case. Post-operative shoulder pain is common and raises many concerns and questions among patients in New Jersey.
Taking a few steps, such as resting and seeking physical therapy, can help you get back to your normal routine. The amount of pain varies from person to person, depending on the type of repair. If the pain persists for a long, it is advised to seek a colonia shoulder pain expert’s opinion.
Post-operative pain and discomfort can be annoying but is manageable. Read this blog to understand everything you need to know about this type of pain.
How do shoulder injuries happen?
Four muscles form tendons around each of your shoulder joints, making up the “rotator cuff.” Shoulder surgery is often needed when there has been an injury in one of these rotator cuffs. In some cases, the tendon completely detaches from the shoulder joint (a complete tear). In other cases, there are only incomplete or partial tears that keep the tendon still intact.
Rotator cuff injuries mostly result from long-term repetitive movements. Overuse of your shoulders and moving them frequently in a certain way are the most common causes, but sudden accidents can result in a tear, too. Age is also a factor. The older you get, the more your risks of an injury increase.
How much post-operative pain is normal?
The amount of pain experienced after surgery depends on various factors. They are as follows:
- Surgical technique: More invasive surgeries cause more post-operative pain. Minimally invasive surgeries, like arthroscopies, usually cause less pain after the operation compared to traditional open surgeries.
- Individual pain threshold: Every individual has different thresholds for pain. What might be moderate for you may be severe for the next person.
- Smoking: If you are a smoker, you are more likely to experience high-intensity post-operative pain.
Difference between acute and chronic pain post-surgery
Understanding whether the pain you are experiencing is acute or chronic is crucial for prompt treatment.
Acute surgery pain usually lasts for a short duration, typically from a few days to a couple of weeks. They result from direct trauma during the surgery and produce sharp pain in the injured area. The pain subsides quite quickly as your body heals and can be managed with over-the-counter painkillers, ice packs, and proper rest.
On the other hand, chronic post-surgery pain looks quite different. It lasts beyond a few weeks. Generally, any pain that persists for more than three months is termed chronic pain. Causes of chronic pain are more difficult to determine but can be due to chronic inflammation, nerve damage, or pre-existing conditions.
Chronic pain is very challenging to deal with as it persists for months, even with medications. They can affect the way you carry out your daily life activities. They require a more complex form of management rather than taking oral pills or injections. Treatments in New Jersey involve a combination of medicines, physical therapy, nerve blocks, and psychological therapy.
General advice from a doctor
All surgeries have certain risks and complications associated with them. It is common to experience shoulder pain after surgery. To effectively mitigate them, make sure you follow your doctor’s instructions religiously. If the pain is still worsening, visit your doctor to check for signs of an infection.
Most important of all, be patient. Surgeries are complex and can cause some pain in the body. Knowing what is normal and what is not can significantly help.
Meet an expert today
If it is a couple of months since your surgery and your pain still persists, these are signs of chronic pain. If not dealt with, this pain can hamper your daily functioning. Schedule a visit with your doctor in New Jersey today!
