Which painkillers are prescribed after a spinal surgery?
June 28, 2023 | 60,00 EUR | answered by Quentin Keck
Dear Doctor,
My name is Babette Beck and I recently had surgery on my spine. The procedure went well, but since then I have been experiencing severe pain in the area of the surgical site. I was prescribed pain medication a few days after the surgery, but the pain does not seem to be subsiding.
I am concerned that the pain is not normal and I wonder if the prescribed pain medication is sufficient or if there may be other medications that are better suited to alleviate my pain. I would like to know what pain medications are typically prescribed after a spine surgery and if there are any alternatives that may be more effective.
I would greatly appreciate your assessment and would like to know if it is possible to adjust the pain medication or take other measures to control my pain. Thank you in advance for your help and treatment recommendations.
Sincerely,
Babette Beck
Dear Mrs. Beck,
Thank you for your message and your trust in my expertise. I am sorry to hear that you are still experiencing severe pain after your spinal surgery. It is important that you seek immediate medical attention from a doctor or specialist when experiencing such discomfort in order to determine the cause of the pain and take appropriate measures.
Pain in the surgical area after a spinal operation is quite common, as it is an invasive procedure that requires some time to heal. Typically, pain medication is prescribed after such surgeries to alleviate the discomfort and support the healing process.
The most commonly prescribed pain medications after a spinal operation are usually non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Ibuprofen or Diclofenac, as well as weak to strong opioids like Tramadol or Morphine. These medications can help alleviate acute pain and ease the postoperative phase.
If the prescribed pain medications are not sufficient or do not have the desired effect, it is important to discuss alternative treatment options with your treating doctor. There are various options that can be considered depending on individual tolerance and effectiveness.
These options may include adjusting the dosage or combining different pain medications, administering local anesthetics or nerve blocks for targeted pain therapy, as well as physiotherapy or other non-pharmacological measures for pain relief.
It is important to communicate with your treating doctor about your symptoms and concerns so that a personalized treatment strategy can be developed based on your specific needs. Only in this way can it be ensured that your pain is adequately controlled and that you can recover as best as possible.
Therefore, I strongly recommend that you schedule an appointment with your doctor or a specialist in spinal surgery to discuss your pain and potentially adjust your pain therapy. I hope that my explanation is helpful to you and wish you a speedy recovery.
Best regards,
Quentin Keck
