Nerve Blocks and Regional Anesthesia
Peripheral nerve blocks and regional anesthesia techniques deliver targeted pain relief directly to the surgical area. These blocks can dramatically reduce the need for systemic pain medications after surgery. Common applications include:
- Upper and lower extremity nerve blocks for orthopedic surgeries
- Intercostal nerve blocks for chest and abdominal procedures
- Epidural analgesia for major abdominal or thoracic surgeries
Epidural Pain Management
Epidural catheters deliver a continuous flow of pain-relieving medication to the space around the spinal cord. This technique is particularly effective after major surgeries and provides excellent pain after surgery relief while allowing patients to breathe deeply, move, and participate in early rehabilitation.
Medication Management
Our post-surgical medication protocols may include:
- Non-opioid analgesics (acetaminophen, NSAIDs, gabapentinoids) as the foundation
- Short-term opioids when necessary, with careful dose management
- Muscle relaxants for surgeries involving significant tissue manipulation
- Anti-nausea medications to combat opioid side effects
Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
Early mobilization and structured physical therapy are essential components of surgical pain relief. Our team coordinates closely with physical therapists to ensure you begin safe movement as soon as appropriate — reducing stiffness, preventing complications, and accelerating your return to daily activities.
Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)
Spinal cord stimulation uses a small implanted device to deliver mild electrical pulses to the spinal cord, interrupting pain signals before they reach the brain. SCS is particularly effective for:
- Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS)
- Persistent post-surgical nerve pain
- Complex regional pain syndrome triggered by surgery
- Chronic radicular pain after spinal surgery
A trial period allows you to experience the benefits before committing to permanent implantation.
Intrathecal Drug Delivery (Pain Pump)
An intrathecal drug delivery system — also known as a pain pump — delivers medication directly into the fluid surrounding the spinal cord. This provides powerful pain relief at a fraction of the oral dose, dramatically reducing systemic side effects. Pain pumps may be appropriate for patients with severe post-surgical pain that hasn’t responded to other treatments.
The duration of post-surgical pain varies significantly depending on the type of surgery. Most acute surgical pain improves substantially within 2–6 weeks. However, some patients experience pain lasting several months, and a small percentage develop chronic post-surgical pain. Early, proactive pain management significantly reduces the risk of long-term pain.
While some residual discomfort is common during healing, significant pain lasting more than 3 months after surgery may indicate a condition called chronic post-surgical pain. This affects approximately 10–50% of surgical patients depending on the procedure. If you’re experiencing persistent pain, a consultation with a pain management specialist can identify the cause and provide effective treatment options.
A spinal cord stimulator is a small device implanted under the skin that delivers mild electrical pulses to the spinal cord. These pulses interfere with pain signals traveling to the brain, replacing pain with a mild tingling sensation or providing sub-threshold relief you can’t feel. A trial period lets you test the device before permanent implantation. It’s especially effective for failed back surgery syndrome and chronic nerve pain.
In many cases, yes — or at least minimize their use significantly. Modern multimodal pain management uses nerve blocks, non-opioid medications, physical therapy, and other techniques to control post-surgical pain. While some surgeries may still require short-term opioid use, the goal is always to limit their duration and dose. Dr. Morgan will create a plan that prioritizes non-opioid options.
Most surgical pain management services are covered by health insurance, including Medicare. Coverage typically includes pre-surgical consultations, nerve blocks, epidurals, and follow-up visits. Advanced procedures like spinal cord stimulation may require prior authorization. Our billing team at Southwest Pain Management will verify your coverage before treatment.
Worsening pain after surgery should be evaluated promptly. While some fluctuation in pain levels is normal, increasing pain could indicate complications such as infection, nerve injury, or hardware issues. Contact your surgical team and schedule a pain management evaluation as soon as possible. Early intervention leads to better outcomes.
Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) refers to persistent or recurring back and/or leg pain after one or more spinal surgeries. Despite the name, it doesn’t necessarily mean the surgery was performed incorrectly — rather, the expected pain relief was not achieved. FBSS affects up to 40% of spinal surgery patients and can be effectively treated with interventional approaches including spinal cord stimulation, nerve blocks, and physical therapy.