Acute Pain ManagementThere can be many reasons why a person might be in the hospital…surgery, injury, managing an illness, such ascancer but in most cases, there is some pain involved. Acute pain is a type of pain that goes away after the bodyheals, and usually lasts less than three months.In the hospital, patients are encouraged to get out of bed, to walk, before they can be sent home. Walking also helpsprevent blood clots and pneumonia.“It’s pretty surprising, like they get you up and you are doing PT and you are learning to go up and down stairssafely. I was a little amazed by that.” - Mary Jo, PatientMary Jo Wright’s recent knee replacement surgery has helped her get her life back to normal. But it certainlyinvolved its share of pain, in the hospital and beyond.“Physical therapy is extremely painful, and you have to be ready to endure that to get the range of motion thatyou need. You just have to do it.” - Mary Jo, PatientManaging that acute pain in the hospital is based on each patient’s condition and needs, but there are severaloptions that can be considered.“It’s nice to kind of have a mix to use, maybe narcotics for that intense pain. Use the anti-inflammatories overthe post-operative period, and then consider a nerve block to really treat that post-operative pain.” - Dr. JuliaFreed, AnesthesiologistNarcotics, or opioid pain medications, are generally considered safe when taken for a short time as prescribed by adoctor. And there is a good reason to take them. Staying ahead of the pain helps you recover.“If you use it how it's intended, you want to follow those instructions and treat that pain. If you don't treat yourpain post-operative, it will lead to chronic pain. And that's a serious problem.”- Dr. Julia Freed, AnesthesiologistBut despite their usefulness, some patients, are nervous about taking opioids, knowing they can have many sideeffects and be addictive.David Toy is one of them. The intense pain from back-to-back knee and elbow surgeries made opioids necessary fora while, but David was anxious to wean off them as quickly as possible.Page 1 of 3This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.PRG5320898 EN AcutePainManagement.pdf© The Wellness NetworkAcute Pain Management“I just didn’t like the way it made me feel. And I was looking for other ways to be able to offset that pain. And Iwas able to work with my doctor to come up with something different.” - David, PatientThe risk of addiction is very low when opioids are given for a short time to relieve acute pain. However, other sideeffects to be aware of include extreme tiredness or low blood pressure, trouble breathing, nausea, confusion,itching or hives, or constipation.“They’re uncomfortable but then the question is what’s the intervention to help with that? What will have thepatient feeling better and is it going to be an opioid that will make them feel better, or is it something else, likeinformation, reassurance, relaxation, psychological interventions?” - Dr. Michael Miller, Addiction MedicinePhysicianWorking with his doctor, David found a way to manage his acute pain in a way that was comfortable for him.“With my elbow surgery, with my therapy, I would wear a compression sleeve. There were things in terms ofmassaging. There were things with just making sure I stretched; go through the exercises that they prescribe.”- David, PatientOther alternatives to opioid pain medications might include:Acetaminophen (Tylenol, for example), Aspirin, ibuprofen (such as Advil) or naproxen (such as Aleve), Breathingexercises, Physical therapy, Massage, or Relaxation techniques.Talk to your healthcare team to see what they recommend.Experts who study pain management say the best advice when it comes to managing your pain is to work with yourdoctor. If opioids are prescribed, ask how long they’ll be needed and what will be done to help get you to the pointwhere you no longer need them.“You know, there’s really no reason to be terrified of being, of taking an opioid if you’re prescribed it. I thinkthere needs to be that trust between a clinician or a doctor and you.”- Matthew Hearing, PhD, Assistant Professor-Biomedical ScienceBe honest with your healthcare team about your pain in the hospital and on follow-up visits. And don’t be afraid toask why you are given a certain medicine, what the benefits and risks are of taking it are, or if there might be otherways to manage your pain.Page 2 of 3This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.PRG5320898 EN AcutePainManagement.pdf© The Wellness NetworkAcute Pain ManagementThe most important thing is get your acute pain under control, so you can go home from the hospital and continuethe healing process.Page 3 of 3This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.PRG5320898 EN AcutePainManagement.pdf© The Wellness Network
