Postoperative pain management in the orthopedic setting

Abstract

Postoperative pain represents a major challenge in the postoperative period. Controlling acute postoperative pain may minimize acute and chronic effects of postoperative pain and facilitate physical therapy. A multimodal approach to the pain management regimen may include systemic opioids and non-opioids and/or regional analgesics. The analgesic agents and techniques chosen will depend on a variety of factors including the type of surgery, patient’s comorbidities, and preferences. While most patients may undergo a transient course of therapy, there will be a subset of patients who will require a recuperative or chronic pain medicine consultation to manage the postoperative pain regimen and to transition to an appropriate outpatient regimen. This chapter reviews postoperative practices in the pain management of the orthopedic patient and discusses some of the pitfalls frequently encountered.