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KONGDY
The Role of Pain Relief Patches in Post-Surgery Recovery
Recovering from surgery can be a painful process. While oral pain medications are commonly prescribed, they can cause side effects like nausea, constipation and drowsiness. Pain relief patches offer an effective alternative for managing post-surgical pain without the risks associated with oral painkillers.
Pain relief patches, also known as transdermal patches, are adhesive patches that contain medications. The medications are absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream over a period of time, providing steady pain relief. Common medications found in prescription pain relief patches include lidocaine, diclofenac, ketoprofen, and fentanyl.
Pain relief patches offer several benefits for post-surgery recovery:
Avoid side effects of oral medications. Patch medications bypass the digestive system and liver, reducing side effects like stomach upset and liver toxicity.
Steady absorption. Patches provide stable levels of medication over 12 to 24 hours, avoiding peaks and valleys in pain relief.
Easy to use. Pain relief patches are thin, discreet and easy to apply. No need to remember to take pills on a schedule.
Improved mobility. Avoiding peaks and valleys in medication levels can help improve mobility and allow patients to participate in physical therapy.
Reduced risk of addiction. Patch medications are less likely to lead to addiction compared to oral opioid painkillers.
Localized effect. Some patch medications like lidocaine only affect the area where the patch is applied, reducing whole-body exposure.
While pain relief patches are effective, they are not appropriate for every type of post-surgical pain. Your doctor can help determine if a pain relief patch may be beneficial for your recovery after weighing factors like the type of surgery, location of pain and your medical history. Speak to your healthcare provider about integrating pain relief patches into your post-surgery pain management plan.
