Why Pain Lingers After Surgery, And What Can Be Done About It

Understanding post-surgical pain and how specialist care can help

Surgery is meant to fix a problem, not create a new one. Yet many patients are surprised to find that pain continues long after surgical recovery should be complete. If you’re living with ongoing pain months - or even years - after an operation, you’re not alone. Across Manchester and Cheshire, we see many patients whose post-surgical pain has never been fully explained or addressed.

At The Manchester Pain Clinic, we specialise in helping patients understand why pain persists and how to treat it effectively.

When recovery doesn’t follow the rulebook

Persistent post-surgical pain may occur after procedures involving:

• The spine or joints

• Hernia repair

• Abdominal or pelvic surgery

• Orthopaedic operations

• Scar tissue formation

In many cases, pain is caused by nerve irritation, scar-related tension, or altered movement patterns rather than ongoing tissue damage.

Why pain is often overlooked

Once surgical healing is deemed “successful”, ongoing pain may be dismissed or managed only with medication. Patients are often told:

• “It will settle with time”

• “The scans look fine”

• “There’s nothing more we can do”

But unresolved pain can become chronic if not properly treated.

A more advanced approach to post-surgical pain

Our consultant-led assessments focus on identifying:

• Whether pain is nerve-driven, muscular, or mechanical

• How scar tissue or altered movement is contributing

• Which targeted treatments are most likely to help

Treatment options may include:

• Image-guided nerve blocks

• Radiofrequency procedures

• Targeted injections

• Specialist pain rehabilitation strategies

• Medication review and reduction

For private and insured patients, care is delivered without delay, allowing earlier intervention and better outcomes.

You don’t have to accept ongoing pain

Surgery may be in the past, but pain doesn’t have to define the future.

If you’re living with pain long after surgery, now is the time to explore specialist support.Book a consultation with The Manchester Pain Clinic and take control of your recovery.

How You Can Start Your Journey

If you’ve been living with persistent and chronic pain that has no clear cause, don’t give up. Book a consultation today at The Manchester Pain Clinic and let our specialists uncover the true source of your pain and find out about your options for private treatment, contact us and arrange a private consultation.

As Dr. Rajan aptly puts it, "Pain doesn’t have to define your life. We’re here to help you reclaim it."