Pain after surgery usually last 4-6 weeks and at times it takes few months. If pain persists beyond 3 months post-surgery, then its chronic pain. Damage to the surrounding nerves during surgery is on the causes of chronic pain. Some other causes could be persistent inflammation around the surgical site, acute pain in immediate post-operative period. It is very important to determine the pain generator so that correct treatment or intervention can be done.
It is vital to do multi modal techniques for good pain relief including medications and nerve blocks. Once the pain relief has been achieved, it usually stays. Medications are then slowly tapered as per each patient’s response.