Patient-Controlled Analgesia (PCA)

Before your surgery, a needle is used to insert a slim plastic tube into a vein in your hand or arm (intravenous, or IV) to give you fluids, anesthetics, antibiotics or pain medications. After your surgery, your doctor may keep the IV line in place to deliver pain medications.
 
Many hospitals propose patient-controlled analgesia — a system that allows you to control the amount of pain medication you receive. The system transports a dose of pain medication to your bloodstream through a vein when you press a button. The distributor is programmed so that you can't get too much medicine. Indeed, the machine ignores your appeal if you push the button too regularly. This way each dose of pain medicine has enough time to work before you receive another dose.

Patient-controlled analgesia may reduce worry since you aren't dependent on others to receive your pain medicine. This method helps to reduce side effects by permitting lower doses of medicine to be given more often, thus lessening high concentrations of medicine in your bloodstream.

Epidural Analgesia

This type of regional anesthesia includes inserting an anesthetic near the spinal fluid, effectively freezing nerves that serve a part of the body. When the medication is given through a thin, plastic tube (catheter), it can supply postoperative pain relief for a selection of surgeries from the neck down, including thoracic surgery, abdominal surgery, or hip or knee replacement surgery. Epidural analgesia suggests constant, targeted pain relief in the hospital and can allow for some mobility depending on the dose of medication and the portion of the body affected.

Nerve Block

To block a nerve, a doctor injects a local anesthetic, medication that obstructs nerve signals, around a nerve. Regularly this method offers pain relief in a definite part of the body, such as an arm or leg. Doctor may apply a single nerve block to relieve pain for several hours, or use a catheter to transport anesthetic through the longer period of time. Nerve blocks can effectively be used for outpatient procedures or for more complicated inpatient surgeries. Consult with your doctor about your pain relief options.

If you're disturbed about your surgery and the possible pain afterwards, talk to your doctor. An open discussion can release you from fear and help your doctor create the best post-surgical plan for you. Knowing your options, asking questions and speaking openly with your medical staff can help limit your pain and quicken your recovery.