Chronic Pain After Surgery: Causes, Risk Factors & Treatment Options

Most people expect pain to improve as they recover from surgery. When discomfort lingers for months after a procedure, however, it can interfere with daily activities, sleep, mobility, and overall quality of life.

Persistent pain can occur after many types of surgeries, including joint replacements, spine procedures, neck surgery, and other orthopedic operations. Understanding why chronic pain develops after surgery, who may be at greater risk, and what treatment options are available can help patients find answers and move toward lasting relief.

What Causes Chronic Pain After Surgery?

After a surgical procedure, some amount of pain is to be expected as your body recovers and heals. When that pain lasts longer than three months or extends beyond the typical healing time for a procedure, however, it’s considered chronic pain after surgery, often referred to as chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP). Studies have shown that about one in 10 people (10%) who have surgery experience chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP) afterward. Additionally, for about one in 100 people (1%), it is considered severe CPSP.

Causes and Risk Factors for Chronic Pain After Surgery

The cause of chronic postoperative pain or chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP) can be difficult to pinpoint and may be a result of a combination of factors.

Post-surgical Complications – infections, scar tissue adhesion, and nerve damage are all potential causes of CPSP
Patient Demographics – smoking, high BMI, and a history of depression or anxiety can increase the risk of CPSP
Other Risk Factors – multiple surgeries in the same area, or a history of preoperative pain, can affect the likelihood of CPSP
Type of Surgery – certain types of surgical procedures, such as limb amputations and hernia repairs, have an increased risk of CPSP
Length of Surgery – longer surgeries (more than 3 hours) have an increased likelihood of CPSP

Why Am I Still in Pain After Surgery?

After undergoing surgical treatment for your chronic knee pain, back pain, neck pain, or other conditions, it can be frustrating and debilitating to develop CPSP after the procedure. You may be asking yourself questions like:

“Why am I still in pain after having surgery? I thought the surgery was supposed to fix it.”
“Why is my pain worse than it was before surgery?”
“Why am I feeling a different type of pain after surgery?”
“If my surgery was successful, why am I still in pain?”

Treatment Options for Chronic Post-Surgical Pain

For patients struggling with CPSP, the main question is likely “How do you treat CPSP?”

Due to the complicated nature of post-surgical recovery, a targeted combination of therapies may be used to treat CPSP.

Medication – OTC and prescription pain relievers, antidepressants, or muscle relaxants may be recommended
Physical and Alternative Therapies – PT, yoga, meditation, acupuncture, or massage therapy can help provide pain relief
Non-surgical Interventions – nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablation, or spinal cord stimulation may be considered if other therapies have proven unsuccessful

When to See a Pain Management Specialist

You may benefit from seeing a pain management specialist if pain continues long after your surgery has healed. While some discomfort is expected during recovery, persistent pain lasting for months or interfering with daily life should be evaluated.

You should consider scheduling an appointment if:

Pain has lasted longer than three months after surgery
Your pain is limiting mobility, work, sleep, or daily activities
Physical therapy and conservative treatments haven’t provided relief
You are relying on pain medication, but still experiencing symptoms
Your pain feels different from what it did before surgery
You want to avoid additional surgery whenever possible

Chronic Pain After Surgery Treatment in San Antonio

Although chronic post-surgical pain is a fairly common condition, you don’t have to continue to struggle. There are a variety of treatment options available. If you are dealing with chronic pain after a surgical procedure, talk to your physician about pain management options.

At The PainSmith, our San Antonio, TX pain management team offers advanced treatments designed to reduce pain, improve function, and help patients return to the activities they enjoy.

If you’re experiencing chronic pain after surgery and are looking for non-surgical pain management in San Antonio, start your pain assessment today to explore treatment options tailored to your condition.

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Call: (210) 963-7493 | 731 Carnoustie Drive, Suite 102, San Antonio, TX

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