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POST-OPERATIVE RESOURCE

Setting Pain Expectations

This guide outlines a typical pain trajectory after surgery. Every surgery is unique, and not all patients follow the same timeline. If anything here doesn’t match what you discussed with Dr. Fuller, please reach out so we can confirm what applies to you.

Goal: tolerable pain—not “zero pain”
Peak discomfort: first 24–48 hours
Overall trend: steadily improving

The goal: tolerable pain—not complete elimination

In the period after your surgery, there will likely be some degree of pain. It’s important to talk with your surgeon before proceeding so that realistic goals can be set. The goal of pain-control medications and techniques is not complete elimination of pain. Rather, the goal is to get pain to a tolerable level, so you can function and effectively participate in your recovery.

A typical pain timeline

Postoperative pain is usually most severe in the first day or two after surgery, and should gradually decrease. Most patients are very comfortable by their first post-op visit (around 2 weeks after surgery).

0–2 days Peak discomfort
Pain is commonly strongest in the first 24–48 hours, then begins to ease.
First few days Many patients don’t need narcotics
If narcotics are used, they typically aren’t needed beyond the first few days.
~2 weeks Often very comfortable
Most patients are comfortable by the first post-op visit, though healing timelines can vary.
Weeks–months Residual swelling & soreness
Some swelling and discomfort can continue, but should be manageable and trending downward overall.
Call Dr. Fuller if pain is increasing, becoming severe, or no longer following a downward trajectory.

Why sensitivity can increase after a cast or dressing

If you have a dressing or cast after surgery, it helps to understand neuroplasticity and how it can affect pain. Your brain is accustomed to receiving a certain amount of “pain” signals from your body in a given day. When a cast or dressing is protecting an area for several weeks, you are protecting the area from events that can send these signals.

Your brain notices the difference and may “think” that because there are fewer signals, there must be a problem with the nerves. This can lead to nerves becoming more sensitive. When casts and dressings are removed, sensitized nerves can send more signals than they normally would and may respond to gentle stretching, touch, or everyday activities as if they’re painful—even when no new injury has occurred.

Reassuring takeaway
Some hypersensitivity after being splinted, casted, or covered is very normal. Nerves gradually return toward normal over time. You can help this process by controlling swelling, working on safe range of motion (as instructed), and participating consistently in therapy.