Even though procedures are getting less invasive and doctors are always looking for ways to improve the patient experience, there will be some pain and discomfort associated with most surgeries. That sentiment holds true for shoulder surgery as well. No matter what you and your surgeon do, it’s not going to be a completely painless procedure and recovery. That being said, if you’re smart about how you approach surgery and rehabilitation, you can significantly reduce discomfort and pain as you recover. Below, we share some pain control tips if shoulder surgery is in your future.
Acknowledging the Pain
Arguably the first step in controlling pain after shoulder surgery is simply acknowledging and accepting that there will be some discomfort following your operation. If you need to undergo shoulder surgery, there’s a decent chance that your shoulder is already somewhat painful, so while discomfort should be nothing new, you also shouldn’t assume that you’ll feel completely pain free after the surgeon has worked their magic. Surgery is a large physical undertaking for your body, and pain is a natural response to this trauma. In the long-term, this operation should help you have less pain or no pain at all in your shoulder, but in the short-term, you’ll have to deal with some discomfort. Being mentally prepared for pain can actually help with how your body processes pain signals.
Talk to Your Doctor About Medications
The next thing you can do to help prepare yourself for controlling discomfort after surgery is to talk to your doctor about any medications you’re currently taking. If you’re currently taking pain medications, your post-op medications may not be as effective, and there’s a chance it could affect the operation itself. Most doctors will tell you that you need to stop certain medications before surgery, but it’s a good idea to start to wean yourself off of narcotic pain medications 1-2 weeks prior to surgery to maximize the effectiveness of your post-op medications.
Prehabilitation
A final thing you can do to help control pain following your procedure is to consider prehabilitation. Prehabilitation is the process of going through rehab exercises before your operation. This will allow you to develop more strength and stability in the region, which can lead to better outcomes post-op. Patients who go through a prehab routine are more likely to have better physical outcomes after surgery, including less pain. Putting in the work before surgery can help to reduce pain after your operation.
