Dr. Albright discusses pain management and pain medicine after orthopedic surgery and joint replacement surgery.

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Transcript of video:

What kind of pain medications are prescribed after orthopedic surgery?

My name is Dr. Dan Albright. I'm an orthopedic surgeon in Raleigh, North Carolina. I focus on hip and knee replacements and spine surgery. So, I am doing some extensive surgery and bone work which hurts. And it's only humane for me as your surgeon or doctor to best manage your pain and minimize it. So, what's the answer?

We give Percocet after surgery...Oxycodone, Norco, Vicodin (which is hydrocodone). Sometimes Tylenol with codeine, Dilaudid, Hydromorphone, Ultram, Tramadol - there's a whole list. Some are stronger, some are medium, some are light. That's a conversation you have to have or need to have with your doctor before surgery...what's the pain management going to be?

And then there's a fear, and an appropriate fear: Can I get addicted to pain medicines? My quick answer is, no, not right away after surgery because you have pain. And it's been said if you have true physical pain from surgery - you don't need to worry about addiction with that.

Can you get dependent later? Weeks or months after surgery? Yes. And that's up to your doctor and you as the patient to carefully monitor your use over time. And only take pain medicines when you really, really need them.

There are other things that can be done - like Tylenol or ibuprofen or ice or elevation or rest - other things that can help with pain management.

So that topic of pain management is a big one - a broad one, an important one. The addiction aspect is a concern, but it is not a big concern for me because I am going to keep track of what's going on after surgery. We're going to look at things week to week. And figure out if your pain is appropriate or if the medicines are appropriate.
Everyone is a little bit different. Everyone's chemistry is a little different. Every surgery is a little different, but the topic of controlling your pain is very important, and we have got to do that as best possible after surgery so you can get moving. You can get out of bed and back to health quicker by moving.

If you are interested in talking about this or a consult I am happy to see you any time. I'm Dr. Dan Albright. Thanks.

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