Pain after surgery
Erfahren Sie mehr über häufige Schmerzerkrankungen, ihre Entstehung und die Schmerzmechanismen.
Acute pain after surgery is normal, as it ultimately results from tissue injury, even though the injury is surgically controlled. Chronic postoperative pain, on the other hand, also known as chronic postoperative pain syndrome (CPPS) or chronic postoperative pain (CPOP), refers to pain that persists after surgery and lasts longer than the usual healing time. This type of pain is often defined as persistent or ongoing pain after surgery.
Not all patients who undergo surgery develop chronic postoperative pain. The exact causes of persistent pain after surgery are not always clear. In most cases, several factors play a role. These include nerve damage, scar tissue formation, pre-existing pain and pain sensitivity, as well as psychological factors. Anxiety, depression, or other psychological factors can influence pain perception and increase the risk of chronic postoperative pain.
Depending on the underlying pain mechanism, chronic postoperative pain can manifest in different ways.
The treatment of chronic postoperative pain can be challenging and often requires a multidisciplinary approach. Treatment may include medication, physical therapy, nerve blocks, psychological support, and neuromodulation procedures.
The prevention of chronic pain after surgery is also important and may include strategies such as careful surgical planning, minimizing tissue damage, and adequate pain control before, during, and after surgery.