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Pain management

Good pain relief helps you recover faster. Your anaesthetist plans it with you before your operation.

Why it matters

Comfortable recovery after surgery

Some discomfort after an operation is normal, but it should be controlled well enough for you to breathe deeply, cough, sleep and move around. This lowers the risk of chest infections and blood clots and helps you get home sooner.

We use a combination of methods, so each medicine can be given at a lower dose with fewer side effects. Your plan depends on your operation, your health and your preferences.

Patient leafletsPain relief after surgery

A person holding a painful hip, with the hip joint highlighted — Hip painComfortable recovery after hip surgeryNerve blocks and spinal anaesthesia can keep you comfortable and moving sooner.

A person holding a painful knee, with the knee joint highlighted — Knee painPain relief planned around youYour anaesthetist combines methods so you can start walking safely after a knee operation.

Options for pain relief

Methods we may use

Tablets and liquids

Regular paracetamol and anti-inflammatory medicines form the base of most plans, with stronger medicines added when needed.

Nerve blocks

Local anaesthetic injected near the nerves to an arm, leg or part of the body. It can give many hours of pain relief after surgery.

Patient leafletsYour nerve block Nerve damage after a peripheral nerve block

Spinal and epidural

Local anaesthetic and pain-relieving medicine placed near the spinal nerves, used for some lower-body and abdominal operations.

Patient leafletsYour spinal anaesthetic Your epidural anaesthetic Headache after a spinal or epidural anaesthetic

Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA)

A pump that lets you give yourself a small, safe dose of pain relief through a drip by pressing a button.

Wound infiltration

Local anaesthetic placed by the surgeon or anaesthetist around the wound at the end of the operation.

Pain relief at home

You will be given medicines and advice to take home, including how long to take them and when to stop.

Patient leafletsPain relief after surgery

Common questions

Pain relief questions

How will my pain be measured?

Nurses will ask you to score your pain, usually from 0 (no pain) to 10 (the worst pain you can imagine). Tell them if your pain is stopping you breathing deeply, moving or sleeping.

Will strong painkillers make me addicted?

Addiction is very unlikely when strong painkillers are used for a short time after surgery. We aim to reduce them as you recover and will advise you on stopping them at home.

Patient leafletsPain relief after surgery

What if I already take painkillers for a long-term condition?

Tell us at your preoperative assessment. Your usual medicines may need to continue, and your plan will take them into account.