Whilst it’s completely normal that you will experience some pain after your surgery, Dr Sunner and his staff work on making sure you receive the proper care for your recovery.
Post-surgery, Dr Sunner and the Western Orthopedics team will discuss the type of discomfort that you will experience, and approximately how long this discomfort is expected to last for.
Before Surgery
Before surgery please inform Dr Sunner:
• Where you feel pain and how much you have
• What makes it better or worse
• What methods you are using to control it
• If you take medicines to manage your pain on a regular basis
• If you have any allergies or have had reactions to medicine
• If you are currently taking any natural products
• If you smoke
• If you drink more than two alcoholic drinks per day
• If you take illegal drugs
Medication
It is also important to learn about possible side effects of your medication, and what you can do to minimise them.
One of the problems with opioids, a commonly used class of post-surgery pain medications, is that they can have some overwhelming side effects. It should be your job to monitor if any occur side effects occur, as you know your body better than anyone.
You may also want to discuss with Dr Sunner and your GP about any regular medication you are taking pre-surgery, and how this might change after your procedure.
The range of medicine you need to manage your post-surgery pain may include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioid analgesics or local anaesthetics. You also need to be aware that if you have undergone a joint replacement you are at greater risk for developing a blood clot in a deep vein.
It is your responsibility as a patient to inform your GP about your post-surgery pain to ensure that your doctor can prescribe the right treatment for you and to avoid side effects.
Pain Management
Non-medical treatments also work in treating pain in the short run. These include after surgery treatment, such as:
• Hypnosis
• Acupuncture/ Massage
• Walking
• Rest & Relaxation
• Cold therapy
• Change in climate
Dr Pavitar Sunner
Dr Sunner will discuss your post-operation rehabilitation with you. You also may want to visit your physiotherapist a couple of times a week and repeat your physio exercises in your own time.
If you have questions, concerns, or side effects from the medicine, consult the doctor who prescribed the medicine, or call your primary care provider.
Dr Sunner can be contacted on (02) 4731 8466