Chronic Post-Surgical Pain (CPSP) is pain that persists for more than three months after surgery, beyond the expected healing period. It may arise from nerve injury, scar tissue formation, inflammation, or changes in pain signalling pathways. The pain can be localised to the surgical site or radiate to surrounding areas, and it may range from mild discomfort to severe, function-limiting pain.
While many people recover fully after surgery, a small proportion develop persistent pain, particularly following procedures involving the chest, breast, abdomen, spine, pelvis, or limbs. Early recognition and expert management are key to preventing long-term nerve sensitisation and functional decline.
Typical symptoms include:
CPSP can significantly affect quality of life, limiting mobility and confidence. Fortunately, with specialist multidisciplinary care, symptoms can often be reduced or resolved.
At Wessex Pain Clinic, diagnosis begins with a detailed medical history and physical examination, focusing on the type of surgery performed, timing of symptom onset, and characteristics of the pain.
Our consultants are looking to identify whether the pain is neuropathic (nerve-related), inflammatory, or musculoskeletal in origin — as each requires a distinct treatment approach.
We may arrange:
This careful, multidisciplinary evaluation ensures accurate diagnosis and avoids unnecessary repeat surgery.
Our physiotherapy and rehabilitation partners focus on restoring strength, flexibility, and confidence in movement. They provide:
Our pain psychology partners help patients manage the emotional effects of persistent pain — addressing anxiety, trauma, and reduced confidence through Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness-based strategies.
This consultant-led, multidisciplinary approach ensures that both the physical and psychological dimensions of chronic post-surgical pain are treated effectively, allowing patients to return to normal life and activity with improved comfort. At Wessex Pain Clinic, we work as a team and meet regularly to discuss complex, treatment resistant or unusual cases. As such you will often receive the expertise of several pain consultants. We believe that we are one of very few pain clinics to offer this.
We may recommend:
Our consultants are experts in precision, image-guided procedures that directly target the pain source, including:
Our friendly team is on hand to support you every step of the way. Please get in touch at any time.
