Nerve Pain After Surgery

Surgery may cause some unintended side effects or complications due to its invasive nature, and one such complication is nerve pain. Over time, this condition affects an individual’s quality of life because it limits their physical function and mobility even long after their surgical wounds have healed. This article will explore the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for nerve pain after surgery at FYZICAL Therapy and Balance Centers - Hickory Flat.

Causes of Nerve Pain After Surgery

Since surgery is an invasive procedure that requires cutting into the body, some level of pain is expected. However, nerve pain is not a normal side-effect of a surgical procedure. This condition is a complication, and it is worse than the normal postoperative pain that a patient may feel. While other types of pain are directly linked to injury or illness, neuropathic pain may not be triggered by injury or other traumatic events. However, the body still sends pain signals to the brain without a cause. The following are the most common reasons you may feel nerve pain after surgery:

• Nerve damage: During surgery, a surgeon may accidentally cut, stretch, or compress a patient’s nerves while working on the damaged body part. This surgical accident causes direct trauma to the nerve, leading to immediate or delayed nerve pain. While nerve damage during surgery may differ in severity, you may experience persistent nerve pain for weeks or months after surgery if you experience nerve injury during surgery. 

• Scar tissue formation: After surgery, scar tissues may form as your body repairs and rebuilds tissues damaged from surgical incisions. Although necessary for recovery, post-surgical scar tissues may press against the nerve, leading to nerve entrapment and causing severe pain and discomfort. 

• Nerve regeneration: Nerves can heal and regenerate over time, depending on the severity of nerve damage. While this is supposed to be good news, sometimes nerve regeneration leads to more pain and discomfort. This is because while nerves heal, they grow and try to connect with other nerves around the area they were severed. However, this regeneration may cause pain, hypersensitivity, itching, tingling, and other forms of discomfort. 

• Inflammation: Neuritis is the inflammation of one or more of the nerves. It can occur due to injury, infection, or even autoimmune disease. Nerve injury during surgery can lead to neuritis, inflaming the sensory neurons in a nerve fiber. Inflammation of one or more nerves causes tingling or burning sensations and stabbing pains that touch or temperature changes may trigger. 

Symptoms of Nerve Pain After Surgery

The primary symptom of nerve pain is pain and discomfort. However, how do you distinguish nerve pain from other types of pain? You may identify nerve pain through its description,  location, and other symptoms. Nerve pain may differ based on the type of nerve affected. Some of the most common symptoms of nerve pain include:

• Shooting, burning, or stabbing sensation
• Numbness in the affected area
• Tingling or prickling sensation in the affected area
• Hyperalgesia: Oversensitivity to pain. Light touches and minor things trigger severe pain
• Allodynia: This condition causes pain from stimuli that rarely cause pain, such as light and temperature changes
• Spontaneous pain that occurs without a trigger
• Difficulty sleeping or resting for long periods
• Weakness in the affected area
• Muscle atrophy
• Lightheadedness and problems with positional awareness
• Constipation
• Dry eyes and mouth, etc.

These and many more are signs and symptoms that you may experience if you suffer from nerve pain after undergoing surgery.

How is Nerve Pain Diagnosed?

If nerve pain is left untreated for long, it may worsen and progress rapidly, leading to irreversible damage. Therefore, how do you know when you are suffering from nerve pain? The following are methods through which nerve pain can be diagnosed:

• Medical history: While doctors try to ascertain your nerve pain, you may be required to undergo some assessments. They may review your medical history, taking note of certain conditions that may cause nerve pain. A doctor may also ask several questions to determine the location, intensity, nature, duration, and triggers of nerve pain. They also examine medication history and ask questions about lifestyle factors. 

• Physical examination: During nerve pain diagnosis, doctors may also assess you physically to determine the location and extent of nerve damage. You may undergo a neurological exam to assess your reflexes, muscle strength, and sensory responses. A doctor may also examine the affected area for injury, swelling, and other signs of nerve damage.

• Diagnostic tests: If a doctor is not satisfied with the results of a physical examination, they may order diagnostic tests. These tests may include skin biopsy, nerve biopsy, electromyography (EMG) nerve conduction studies, and imaging tests like MRI/CT scans.

These methods of diagnosing nerve pain are effective and can confirm if you truly suffer from nerve damage after a surgical procedure. After nerve pain diagnosis, you should seek immediate treatment with physical therapy in Woodstock.

Treatment Methods For Nerve Pain

Several treatment options can help to reduce nerve pain in Woodstock, GA. While some of these options are home remedies, others require a healthcare professional for administration. However, these treatment options vary in effectiveness, with some leading to various side effects and complications. One of the most effective treatment options for nerve pain is physical therapy.

Physical therapy is a non-invasive yet effective treatment option that can treat and manage nerve pain without side effects and complications. 

How Does Physical Therapy Help Nerve Pain After Surgery?

Physical therapy manages nerve pain symptoms and improves the affected area's mobility, strength, and function. This treatment option manages nerve pain through various techniques. Some of these include:

Pain Management Techniques

Pain management techniques, such as manual therapy and other modalities like heat and cold therapy, electrical stimulation, ultrasound therapy, etc., can help relieve and manage nerve pain to reduce discomfort. Manual therapy techniques, such as massage, soft tissue mobilization, joint mobilization, myofascial release, etc., alleviate pain and increase blood circulation to the affected areas.

Nerve Gliding Exercises

These exercises stretch the nerves, facilitating smooth nerve movement and preventing entrapment to promote healing. Nerve glides also improve your strength, flexibility, and range of motion. Several nerve gliding exercises target different areas of the body. The ulnar nerve glide targets the ulnar nerve, a major nerve in the arm.

How to Do Ulnar Nerve Glide

• Stand and stretch your arm to the side with your palm facing the floor.
• Slowly bend your elbow and wrist so your palm moves towards the side of your face. You should feel a gentle tug in your wrist, pinky finger, or elbow.
• Hold the position for 2 seconds and then release.
• Repeat the exercise 10 to 15 times.

Strengthening and Flexibility Exercises

Your physical therapist can recommend targeted exercises to strengthen your muscles and improve joint flexibility. These exercises reduce pressure on the affected nerves and ease discomfort. For instance, side leg raises improve strength and balance and relieve nerve tightness.

How to Do Side Leg Raise

• Steady your balance with one hand using a chair or table.
• Stand straight with your feet slightly apart.
• Slowly lift one leg to the side.
• Hold this position for 5 – 10 seconds.
• Lower your leg at the same pace.
• Repeat for the other leg.
• Try doing this exercise without holding the chair as you improve your balance.

Posture Education

Poor posture can strain and irritate your nerves, causing pain. Professionals will educate you on proper body posture to prevent unnecessary nerve strain and minimize discomfort.

Patient Education

Your physical therapist will educate you on pain management strategies to ease your pain and relieve tension in your nerves. These techniques include breathing exercises and meditation. Relaxation can also reduce stress and ease pain. You can learn to relax by taking a warm bath, drinking hot tea, or listening to soothing music.

Conclusion

Nerve damage after surgery may lead to severe nerve pain that restricts mobility, limits function, and reduces overall quality of life. If you are suffering from nerve pain, you should consider undergoing Occupational Therapy Woodstock at FYZICAL Therapy and Balance Centers - Hickory Flat to relieve pain and prevent further complications.