It is not unusual to experience pain after surgery.
Unfortunately, for some patients, postoperative pain does not go away after healing.
For these people, chronic postoperative painbecomes a way of life.
Jose Luis Pelaez Inc. / Blend Images / Getty Images
Other potential causes of chronic postoperative pain include psychosocial factors and issues related to the surgery and recovery itself.
Research has shown that a number of psychosocial factors may also contribute to persistent pain following surgery.
For instance, there is evidence thatsurgeries lasting longer than three hoursare more likely to cause chronic postoperative pain.
Additionally, certain types ofradiationorchemotherapytreatments soon after surgery may increase the risk of developing postoperative pain.
Anesthesia managementis another area being investigated for its role in preventing or inducing chronic postoperative pain.
This is thought to prevent thenervous systemfrom becoming sensitized after surgery.
Regardless of the cause of chronic postoperative pain, it is an issue for many people worldwide.
Correll D.Chronic postoperative pain: recent findings in understanding and management.F1000Res.
2017;6:1054. doi:10.12688/f1000research.11101.1
Bruce J, Quinlan J.Chronic Post Surgical Pain.Rev Pain.
2011;5(3):23-9. doi:10.1177/204946371100500306
