Effective Treatments for Post-Surgical Pain That Don’t Rely on Opioids

Surgery is a part of life for many people—whether it’s a joint replacement, a spine procedure, a ligament repair, or a minor outpatient operation. No matter how routine the procedure may be, one concern almost everyone shares is the same: “How bad will the pain be afterward?” Post-surgical pain is a normal part of healing, but it can still feel intimidating, especially if you’ve heard difficult stories from friends or family.

What often gets overlooked is that good pain control is not optional—it’s essential. When pain is managed well, patients move sooner, breathe more deeply, rest more comfortably, and participate in physical therapy more effectively. This leads to fewer complications, better emotional well-being, and a smoother overall recovery. Toughing it out doesn’t speed the healing process; in fact, it can slow everything down.

The encouraging news is that modern post-surgical pain management can be highly effective without relying heavily on opioids. By using a multimodal approach—combining different, minimally invasive strategies that work together—patients can stay more alert, more mobile, and more in control of their recovery.

At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine, our team focuses on advanced, non-addictive pain management options designed to make recovery safer, more comfortable, and more sustainable, so patients can heal with confidence rather than fear.

Non-Opioid Medications That Support Recovery

Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Medications

A large part of post-surgical pain is driven by inflammation. Reducing that inflammation safely can dramatically improve comfort.

• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
  Medications in this category help calm inflammation at and around the surgical site. By reducing swelling and irritation, they can significantly decrease pain, especially in orthopedic and soft tissue surgeries.
• Acetaminophen
  Acetaminophen is often the backbone of non-opioid pain control. It works differently from NSAIDs and can usually be safely combined with them, providing steady baseline pain relief without sedation or major gastrointestinal side effects in most patients.
• COX-2 inhibitors
  For some patients, traditional NSAIDs may not be ideal because of stomach or cardiovascular concerns. COX-2 inhibitors can sometimes offer similar anti-inflammatory benefits with a more joint-friendly and stomach-friendly profile, depending on the individual’s medical history.

Neuropathic Pain Medications

Not all pain after surgery is the same. When nerve tissue is irritated or involved in the surgical area, patients may experience burning, tingling, sharp, or electrical sensations.

Neuropathic pain medications are designed to calm misfiring nerves and reduce hypersensitivity. They are especially helpful in:

• Nerve decompressions
• Spine surgeries
• Procedures performed near major nerve pathways

Muscle Relaxants and Antispasmodics

After orthopedic or spine surgery, muscles around the surgical site may tighten or go into spasm as they adapt to new alignment or protect the area. This muscle tension can be a major contributor to pain.

Muscle relaxants and antispasmodics:

• Help reduce muscle spasm and stiffness
• Make it easier for patients to move, stand, and participate in physical therapy
• Improve overall comfort, especially in the early weeks of recovery

When used appropriately and for a limited duration, they can significantly enhance function.

Topical and Localized Treatments

Sometimes, treating pain right where it occurs is the most efficient approach.

• Numbing creams, gels, and patches can be applied near the incision or over painful muscles and joints to provide localized relief.
• These options offer the benefit of fewer whole-body side effects, since much less medication enters the bloodstream compared with oral drugs.

Regional Anesthesia and Interventional Techniques

Peripheral Nerve Blocks

Peripheral nerve blocks involve injecting numbing medication around a specific nerve or group of nerves that supply sensation to the surgical area.

• They can be given as a single-shot injection or via a continuous catheter that delivers medication over several days.
• Nerve blocks provide targeted pain relief, often dramatically reducing the need for systemic medications.

They are commonly used for:

• Shoulder surgeries
• Knee and hip replacements
• Foot and ankle procedures

Epidural and Spinal Anesthesia (Where Appropriate)

For certain lower-body surgeries—such as hip, knee, and some abdominal or pelvic procedures—epidural or spinal anesthesia may be used:

• These techniques can control pain during surgery and in the immediate post-operative period.
• They often allow for lighter general anesthesia or, in some cases, help patients avoid general anesthesia altogether.

The result is better pain management with less grogginess and a smoother early recovery.

Local Infiltration and Long-Acting Local Anesthetics

Surgeons can also inject numbing medication directly around the surgical site during the procedure.

• Local infiltration targets the tissues that are being cut and repaired.
• Long-acting formulations can provide pain relief that lasts for many hours—or even days—after surgery.

This extended relief can significantly reduce the amount of oral medication a patient needs while the body begins its natural healing process.

Interventional Pain Procedures for Persistent Post-Surgical Pain

In some cases, pain lingers beyond the expected healing window and begins to interfere with daily life. When this happens, interventional procedures can be used to:

• Provide targeted injections or nerve treatments to specific pain generators
• Break up abnormal pain signaling patterns
• Help prevent post-surgical pain from becoming a chronic condition

Physical and Rehabilitative Therapies

Physical Therapy

Early, guided physical therapy is essential for:

• Reducing stiffness and swelling
• Restoring strength, flexibility, and joint mechanics
• Teaching patients safe, protective movement patterns that support healing

A skilled therapist helps patients move just enough—and in the right ways—to promote healing without overloading the surgical site.

Myofascial Release and Manual Therapy

After surgery, muscles and connective tissues can become tight, guarded, or restricted by scar tissue.

• Myofascial release and manual therapy techniques help loosen these restrictions, improving circulation and mobility.
• By addressing muscle tightness and scar-related tension, they also reduce compensatory movement patterns that can create new areas of pain.

Modalities and Supportive Therapies

Physical therapy may also incorporate supportive tools such as:

• Ice to reduce inflammation and numb sore areas
• Heat to relax tight muscles and improve blood flow
• Electrical stimulation (TENS) to help modulate pain signals
• Bracing or supports when needed to protect a joint and improve alignment

These modalities complement exercise and manual therapy, helping patients feel more comfortable as they progress.

Regenerative and Advanced Therapies

Regenerative Medicine Approaches

Regenerative treatments aim to support the body’s own healing mechanisms:

• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and other biologic injections concentrate growth factors at the surgical site or nearby tissues.
• By reducing inflammation and improving tissue quality, these therapies may decrease pain and support a more durable recovery in select cases.

They are particularly valuable when lingering inflammation or tendon/joint irritation complicates the healing process.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy involves breathing concentrated oxygen in a pressurized chamber:

• This process dramatically increases oxygen delivery to healing tissues.
• Enhanced oxygenation supports wound healing, collagen formation, and new blood vessel growth, while also helping reduce inflammation.

For some post-surgical patients, HBOT can ease pain, speed healing, and improve overall tissue health—especially when recovery feels slower than expected.

Spinal Cord Stimulation for Post-Laminectomy or Chronic Post-Surgical Pain

In a subset of patients, pain persists long after spine surgery or other major procedures, even after standard therapies have been tried. In these cases, spinal cord stimulation (SCS) can be an important option.

• SCS uses a small implanted device to modulate pain signals before they reach the brain.
• By interrupting abnormal signaling, it can significantly reduce pain and the need for ongoing medication.

This approach is generally reserved for those with chronic post-surgical or post-laminectomy pain but can be life-changing when appropriate.

Recover with Confidence: Safer Options for Post-Surgical Pain Relief

You don’t have to choose between living with uncontrolled pain or accepting all the risks of heavy opioid use. Modern, multimodal pain management combines non-opioid medications, regional anesthesia, physical therapy, interventional procedures, regenerative options, and supportive therapies to provide both comfort and safety. The result is clearer thinking, better mobility, and a smoother path back to your normal life.

At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine, we’re committed to helping you recover with confidence. Whether you’re preparing for surgery or still struggling with pain afterward, our team can design a personalized, opioid-sparing plan that fits your procedure, your body, and your goals. We listen, we explain your options in plain language, and we partner with you every step of the way so you’re never left to “tough it out” alone.

Contact Medici Orthopaedics & Spine

📍 Ambulatory Surgery Centers
• Marietta: 792 Church Street, Unit 101, Marietta, GA 30060 — (470) 795-8398
• Snellville: 2220 Wisteria Dr, Unit 100, Snellville, GA 30078 — (470) 795-8398

📍 Clinics
• Kennesaw: 2911 George Busbee Parkway, Suite 50, Kennesaw, GA 30144 — (770) 545-6404
• Snellville: 2220 Wisteria Drive, Unit 101, Snellville, GA 30078 — (470) 645-9297
• Buckhead PM&R: 3200 Downwood Circle, NW, Suite 520, Atlanta, GA 30327 — (770) 872-7549

🌐 Website: https://www.mediciortho.com/
📞 Main Contact: +1-844-328-4624