Improvement in Pain After Lumbar Spine Surgery: The Role of Preoperative Expectations of Pain Relief

Conclusions: Pain is not uncommon after lumbar surgery and is associated with a network of clinical, surgical, and psychological variables. This study provides evidence that patients’ expectations about pain are an independent variable in this network. Because expectations are potentially modifiable this study supports addressing pain-related expectations with patients before surgery through discussions with surgeons and through formal preoperative patient education.
Source: The Clinical Journal of Pain - Category: Anesthesiology Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research