Tissue Trauma And Post-Operative Pain
Pain is a subjective experience and unpleasant sensation that associated with tissue impairment (Ogino et al., 2007). Post-operative pain is a commonly actual post-operative complication of most general surgeries (Abdalrahim et al., 2011). Therefore, Evelyn is likely to have pain due to the surgical tissue trauma and the replacement of the knee joint. Post-operative pain is a major concern during the recovery of patients because pain is a distressing symptom, poorly controlled pain may contribute to other potential complications and suboptimal functional improvements (Dalury, Lieberman & Macdonald, 2012; Ibrahim et al., 2013). For example, pain may reduce patient’s ability of early mobilisation and further increase the risk of DVT or knee stiffness
(Chua et al., 2017). Further, inadequate post-operative pain control may also cause negative psychological effects on patients, resulting in increased incidence of chronic pain (Abdalrahim et al., 2011).
Several studies have reported that post-operative pain is one of the leading causes of prolonged hospitalisation and patient dissatisfaction (Dalury et al., 2012; Ranawat & Ranawat, 2007). According to Hawker et al. (2009), nearly 40% of patients have reported less ideal pain relief, improvements in function, and satisfaction after undergoing TKA. Due to the persistent level of post-operative pain, how to manage it more effectively and positively has been investigated by many researchers (Louw, Diener, Butler & Puentedura, 2013). Current research has demonstrated that preoperative psychological factors of patients have impacts on post-operative outcomes (Nelson et al., 2013). That is, the level of patient anxiety and expectation towards surgery are associated with pain perception after surgery (Ibrahim et al., 2013). Preoperative education has been used as one approach to cope with these problems, therefore, in order to provide a good quality of nursing care and improve patient outcomes, preoperative education conducted by nurses is significant on pain control in clinical settings (Gunningberg et al., 2007; Louw et al., 2013).
(Chua et al., 2017). Further, inadequate post-operative pain control may also cause negative psychological effects on patients, resulting in increased incidence of chronic pain (Abdalrahim et al., 2011).
Several studies have reported that post-operative pain is one of the leading causes of prolonged hospitalisation and patient dissatisfaction (Dalury et al., 2012; Ranawat & Ranawat, 2007). According to Hawker et al. (2009), nearly 40% of patients have reported less ideal pain relief, improvements in function, and satisfaction after undergoing TKA. Due to the persistent level of post-operative pain, how to manage it more effectively and positively has been investigated by many researchers (Louw, Diener, Butler & Puentedura, 2013). Current research has demonstrated that preoperative psychological factors of patients have impacts on post-operative outcomes (Nelson et al., 2013). That is, the level of patient anxiety and expectation towards surgery are associated with pain perception after surgery (Ibrahim et al., 2013). Preoperative education has been used as one approach to cope with these problems, therefore, in order to provide a good quality of nursing care and improve patient outcomes, preoperative education conducted by nurses is significant on pain control in clinical settings (Gunningberg et al., 2007; Louw et al., 2013).