Anesthesiologists often oversee the preliminary stages of a patient’s recovery after surgery, but they can also assist with other procedures to manage pain longer after the surgery is completed. Directly after surgery, the anesthesiologist provides pain medication and monitors the initial stage of recovery in the recovery room, monitoring vital signs and administering medication. In the later stages, an anesthesiologist can administer treatments to help with residual pain after a surgery. Here is more information about how anesthesiologists can help control or manage post-surgical pain symptoms:

Monitoring Early Recovery

A physician specializing in anesthesia remains in the room while the patient wakes from a surgical procedure. An anesthesiologist monitors heart rate and oxygen levels to track the body’s reaction to the medication. Because disorientation can be one side effect of anesthesia for patients, providers supervise the recovery and also administer pain medication, such as opioids. These professionals adjust doses based on the patient’s reported pain levels.

Managing Specialized Treatment

In some cases, patients may experience pain symptoms outside the window of the early recovery stage, and anesthesiologists can help with these symptoms as well in a clinical setting. One treatment is a nerve block, which interrupts pain signals before they reach the brain. A physician injects a local anesthetic near specific nerves, and this numbs the surgical site for several hours. While the medication wears off, the patient experiences a more gradual return of sensation. This technique often reduces the need for heavy oral medications.

Epidural steroid injections help manage inflammation in the spine or limbs after certain surgeries. Providers use these treatments to deliver anti-inflammatory medication directly to the source of the discomfort. Since the injection targets the space around the spinal nerves, it provides localized relief.

Radiofrequency ablation uses thermal energy to treat persistent nerve pain. The steps of this treatment are as follows:

  • Specialists identify the specific nerves causing the discomfort.
  • A probe delivers heat to the nerve tissue.
  • A lesion is created that prevents the transmission of pain.
  • The results can last between six and 12 months, sometimes longer.

Spinal cord stimulation is another potentially long-term solution for patients with chronic post-surgical discomfort. A device sends low-level electrical impulses to the spinal cord, and these pulses interfere with the pain signals. Because the system is adjustable, physicians can tailor the settings to the patient’s daily needs.

Combining Other Treatments

A provider can use a combination of treatments to help control pain and relieve post-surgical symptoms. Specialists may use a mix of physical therapy and medications to address various aspects of recovery. Because each patient responds differently, the provider monitors progress to adjust the plan if needed. This comprehensive strategy focuses on both comfort and the restoration of physical function.

Find an Anesthesiologist Today

Anesthesiologists can provide pain relief in more recovery stages than just the initial recovery post-surgery. These specialists provide a range of interventions that address discomfort at its source through modern medical techniques. To learn more about how an anesthesiologist can help in the later stages of post-surgical recovery, contact a pain specialist near you.