Pain Q&A (Adult patients)

Why am I feeling pain?

Pain is the body’s way of telling us that something is wrong. Our nerves at the area of injury send messages up our spinal cord to the brain and we feel the resulting “pain” sensation.

What is the difference between “Acute” and “Chronic” Pain? 

• Acute - abrupt onset as a result of injury, generally only lasts a short time
• Chronic- pain that has continued for three months or more

How can I best describe my pain to my healthcare team?

• Some common words that are often used to describe pain:
  • burning, stabbing, aching, throbbing
  • sharp or dull
  • constant or intermittent
  • Acute or chronic
     
• Use a “pain scale” or a number from 1-10 to describe how much pain you are having.
  • For example: Rating your pain a “1” means you are experiencing very little pain. Rating your pain a “10” means that you have severe or extreme pain.
  • We will ask you to set a “pain goal,” which means the level of pain that you can tolerate. Your healthcare team will help you to meet this goal while you are in the hospital.

What are some ways I can help alleviate my pain before and after surgery?

• Rest! Your body needs plenty of rest to heal
• Ice packs can help reduce swelling and pain
• Gentle massage can help reduce muscle aches and pain
• Occupy your mind! Read, listen to soothing music, play with a pet, visit with friends/family
• Your Physician may recommend you see a therapist (Physical or Occupational) to learn specific exercises to help you regain your everyday activities and manage your pain.
• Your Physician may recommend that you take medications to treat your pain:
  • Over the counter medications (can buy these without a Physicians prescription)
    • Examples: Ibuprofen, Naproxen
       
  • Prescription medications (need a Doctors prescription)
    • Examples: acetaminophen with hydrocodone (Lortab),
    • Acetaminophen with codeine (Tylenol #3)
    • Propoxyphene napsylate with Tylenol (Darvocet)
    • Oxycodone with acetaminophen (Percocet)

People use to think that severe pain after surgery was something they “just had to put up with.” But with current treatments, that is no longer true. Today you can, and are expected, to work with your nurses and doctors to treat and manage your pain.

• Our goal at Sanford is to treat pain early and not let it get out of control.
• Remember that it usually takes less medicine to prevent pain than is does to make the pain go away, so don’t wait too long to take pain medications
• When your pain is well controlled, you can enjoy greater comfort while you heal and improve your results
• With less pain you can start walking, do breathing exercises and recover your strength more quickly. You may avoid some problems (such as pneumonia and blood clots) that affect other patients