The anatomical locations of postoperative pain and their recovery trajectories following Posterior Spinal Fusion (PSF) surgery in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) patients
This study looked into the different anatomical locations of pain and their trajectories within the first two weeks after Posterior Spinal Fusion (PSF) surgery for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS).
A total of 40 patients were recruited. Patients complained of surgical woundpain score of 6.2±2.1 after surgery. This subsequently reduced to 4.2±2.0 by day-4, and to 2.4±1.3 by day-7. Shoulder pain scores of symptomatic patients peaked to 4.2±2.7 at 24 hours and 36 hours which then reduced to 1.8±1.1 by day-8. Neck pain scores of symptomatic patients reduced from 4.2±1.9 at 12 hours to 1.8±1.1 by day-4. Low back pain scores of symptomatic patients reduced from 5.3±2.3 at 12 hours to 1.8±1.1 by day12.
Conclusions:
Despite the presence of different anatomical locations of pain after surgery, surgical wound was the most significant pain and other anatomical locations of pain were generally mild. Surgical woundpain reduced to a tolerable level by day-4 when patients can then be comfortably discharged. This finding provides useful information for clinicians, patients and their caregivers.