Pain is a very individualized experience for each patient. In general, the sternum is a relatively dull area of the body, having few nerve endings. Most patients who have had a standard open chest approach often complain of aching around the sternal incision and generalized discomfort that centers between the shoulder blades after surgery. Pain medication is readily available and patients are encouraged to take it as needed.

One possibility is to see a pain specialist. A certified pain doctor will perform a thorough examination to determine the exact cause of your pain and may recommend therapies such as acupuncture, trigger point injections, over the counter medications, or prescription medications. Unfortunately, neuropathic pain - pain caused by damage to a nerve - can be very difficult to treat. Anti-seizure drugs, like Neurontin, work for some people but can have strong side effects.

Every attempt is made to control pain after surgery to make it possible for you to move about quickly and become active. This helps avoid problems and speeds recovery. Often several drugs are used together to help manage your post-surgery pain. While you are still in the hospital, a Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA), which allows you to give yourself a dose of pain medicine on demand, may be used by your physician.

Postoperative pain control is an important focus for us at Hospital for Special Surgery. Your anesthesiologist plays an essential role in planning and maintaining your comfort during and after your surgery. Surgery in general and orthopedic surgery specifically results in postoperative pain. In order to eliminate all pain after surgery would require complete anesthesia, which would prevent you from recovering and rehabilitating.

The pain after endoscopic surgery can usually be controlled with similar types of medications that are used in non-endoscopic spinal correction.

Although your doctor will prescribe any specific pain medication that your child will need, usually Motrin will be enough to calm the discomfort from this type of surgery. You can also place a bag of ice wrapped in a towel directly over the wound, and it is useful to sleep with a pillow under the heel.

After surgery you will be given a pain medication with one to two refills, and finally Darvocet with one refill, as needed. You will also be given Celebrex for the first 2 weeks and longer if you are having pain or stiffness.

There is a section on dealing with pain at http://www.cancer-pain.org/. Some general recommendations are: You may wish to post on news:alt.support.chronic-pain or news:alt.support.chronic.pain and seek advice. Breakthrough pain can be treated with Actiq, which, is developed specifically to help manage BTCP. See http://www.actiq.com/patients/aboutactiq/default.asp (Commercial site)

No, most people are comfortable after the procedure and usually an over-the-counter preparation such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen is all that is necessary to alleviate any discomfort that may occur. Avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activity for the first five days following seed implant.

Pain medication is administered through a special pump. When your child has pain, he or she will be able to give him or herself medication to relieve the pain.

For the first few hours there may be some discomfort, but usually not severe. If the pain persists, call your doctor.

The treatment, itself, has been reported by most patients as being painless. You may experience discomfort and a “gritty” feeling in the first 24 to 48 hours after LASIK surgery. Our Sacramento area patients can be given medication to curb this discomfort.

Generally we use liquid Lortab or Elixir for our patients. We offer alternatives for those who are allergic to these pain particular medications.