Managing pain before and after orthopaedic surgery

A practical guide to managing pain before and after orthopaedic surgery from Circle Health Group

Joint pain can be troubling. Knowing key preparations and strategies to manage pain can help ease your discomfort and put you on the path to a smoother recovery.

Whether it’s your hip, knee, shoulder, or any other joint, pain from your arthritis or as a surgical side effect, can weigh on your mind and make life harder to navigate. 

However, with the right preparation and expectations, you can feel far more in control of your pain than you might think. 

In this article, we will walk you through pain management techniques and strategies that may be recommended to improve your quality of life, whether or not you have surgical treatment for your condition.

Treatment options for joint pain

The first steps to managing your pain won’t start on the operating table. There are many non-surgical interventions you may be recommended to help you manage your joint pain before considering surgery.

Physiotherapy is commonly recommended as a first-line treatment for joint concerns. Gentle, regular exercise strengthens the muscles around your joint. Having stronger muscles can help to protect your joints, less compensatory pain (pain in an uninjured part of your body due to altering movement to protect your painful joint), and a smoother recovery. 

Your physiotherapist may recommend targeted strengthening exercises, and sticking with these consistently should help ease your symptoms. 

If you want to explore physiotherapy treatment further, Circle Health Group has a network of experienced registered physiotherapists who can help provide tailor made physiotherapy treatment plans that work for your individual needs. 

Your consultant may also encourage you to try other non-surgical treatments alongside physiotherapy, including painkillers, weight management, general exercise, walking aids (like a walking stick or elbow crutches), or even steroid injections first before suggesting surgery. 

Surgery only tends to be recommended when the pain and stiffness are significantly impacting your daily life and your quality of life, and other approaches haven't given you enough relief. 

Preventing pain pre-surgery 

If surgery is recommended to you, there are things you can do to help make your pain easier to manage before you have your procedure.
Before surgery, it’s essential to be in good health. Looking after your general health, such as managing your weight and stopping smoking, can help your body be in optimal condition to handle the operation and put you at a lower risk of complications, including severe pain post-op.

If you take regular medication, talk to your care team beforehand about whether your dosage or prescription needs adjusting.

Discussing pain relief options with your surgeon before the procedure can also be useful. Knowing what anaesthetic and pain relief options are available to you in advance means you can make informed choices that work best for you, reducing your risk of unnecessary discomfort.

It is important to prepare your space at home before surgery, something that can be overlooked. Awkward movements, such as reaching, twisting, or bending to pick something up can trigger sharp post-surgical pain. If you are recovering from a hip replacement, some of these movements may also need to be avoided temporarily during the early stages of recovery to help protect your new joint and support the healing process, your consultant will be able to advise you on this when discussing surgery. Setting up your home in advance, with your essentials within easy reach and any trip hazards cleared, can help reduce discomfort, improve safety, and support a smoother and more confident recovery at home.

Managing post-surgical pain

Experiencing some pain after surgery is expected, and your health team will actively help you to manage this, rather than leaving you to cope alone. 

During your immediate recovery on the ward, you might be offered a series of interventions to help ease the pain, such as over-the-counter painkillers, local anaesthetic around the joint, patient-controlled analgesia (PCA - a pump that lets you safely top up pain relief yourself), or a nerve block. 

After surgery, many people notice pain increases slightly around two to three days following the procedure. This is common and typically doesn’t signal a serious problem. However, if you notice any additional symptoms like sudden swelling, breathlessness, chest pain, or a wound that looks increasingly red, hot, or is leaking, contact your healthcare team immediately, as these concerns need urgent attention.

There's no prize for gritting your teeth if you are experiencing pain. Keeping pain well controlled in the early days of recovery can help you heal and recover more quickly. It can help you control your breathing, start moving the joint safely, and avoid complications like chest infections or blood clots.

Your surgeon may recommend you get up and move early in your recovery process, often on the same day as your operation. This is an important part of treatment and not something to fear. Moving the joint helps stimulate blood flow and healing, prevents muscle weakness and stiffness, speeds up recovery, reduces the risk of complications, and supports better long-term joint function. Your physiotherapist will guide you through this at a pace suited to you so that you won’t be rushed during recovery.

Navigating pain during your recovery

Once you're home, an important part of your recovery will be managing any pain or discomfort that may arise as your joint heals.  Recovery from joint replacement surgery takes time. It is normal to experience some discomfort for weeks or even months as your strength, mobility, and function gradually improve. Understanding how to manage pain effectively can help you stay active, participate in your rehabilitation, and recover more comfortably.

However, staying consistent and following your surgeon’s advice throughout your recovery can help ease pain faster and improve your joint performance.

Medication 

Throughout your healing process, take any prescribed painkillers as directed and use any medication to be taken ‘as needed’ ahead of activities that will likely cause discomfort, such as physiotherapy, taking a shower, or just before bed, rather than waiting until you're already struggling with the pain. 

Take medication proactively, not reactively. It's far easier to prevent pain that is building up than to chase it once it has fully hit.

Physical exercise and physiotherapy

It’s important to keep on top of your exercises. It may feel counterintuitive to exercise a joint that hurts. However, the exercise programme your physiotherapist gives you is one of the most effective tools for reducing pain over time and protecting your joint. 

If an exercise leaves you sore for more than a few hours afterwards, scale back your routine rather than abandoning it. This could mean reducing the number of repetitions or the duration of the exercise, then gradually building your strength back up. If needed, you can also apply ice to the joint after exercise to ease any pain or minor swelling.

In your day-to-day, pace yourself and alternate activity with rest. Standing or walking briefly every hour can help ease any stiffness and support circulation, but be mindful to not overdo it as this can set your recovery back.

Lifestyle modifications

Changing positions regularly and using support when sitting or standing can reduce your discomfort, alongside other pain management techniques. 

Having distractions, relaxation techniques, and good sleep hygiene can also influence how you experience your pain. It isn't about ‘thinking pain away’, but about keeping your body and mind in the best conditions to cope.

If pain ever feels out of step with what you were told to expect, contact your care team as soon as possible. They would rather hear from you so they can help ease your discomfort than have you struggle in silence.

Recovery from orthopaedic surgery is rarely a straight line. Give yourself permission to be kinder to yourself on harder days, as managing pain and rebuilding strength takes time, effort and resilience. 

Getting back on track

Managing pain well isn't about having to endure surgery. It's about actively taking part in your own recovery, one manageable step at a time.

Progress in joint recovery is often measured in weeks or months, not days. If you look back at how far you've come, even after a month in, you can see just how much positive progress you’ve made.

It’s important that you don't ignore any nagging or severe pain in your joints. With the right diagnosis and treatment, you can avoid your condition worsening and fast track pain relief, helping you return to your normal activities sooner.

If you are looking to get help with your joint pain, Circle Health Group can provide you with expert orthopaedic care delivered by their network of experienced consultants and physiotherapists. Call or book online today to find the right specialist for you, so you take the first step towards a pain-free life today.