Self-Managing Postoperative Pain with the Use of a Novel, Interactive Device: A Proof of Concept Study.

Background. Pain is commonly experienced following surgical procedures. Suboptimal management is multifactorial.

Chronic pain after surgery: pathophysiology, risk factors and prevention.

Interest in chronic pain after surgery has grown since the finding that more than a fifth of patients attending chronic pain clinics cite surgery as the cause for their chronic pain. The problem is not limited to major surgery; even common minor procedures such as hernia repair have a significant risk of chronic pain. Surgical technique can influence the development of chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) and techniques to minimise nerve injury should be used where possible.

An introduction to pain pathways and mechanisms.

Pain is a vital function of the nervous system in providing the body with a warning of potential or actual injury. It is both a sensory and emotional experience, affected by psychological factors such as past experiences, beliefs about pain, fear or anxiety.