Dr. Eggitt Reveals Surprising Truth About Post-Procedure Pain

Medical procedures range from routine checks to life-saving surgeries. Yet even those performed under general anaesthesia can leave patients grappling with pain during recovery.

Dr Dean Eggitt, a consultant primary care physician, has spent years analyzing which interventions cause the most discomfort. His insights reveal that while major surgery often brings significant pain, some minor procedures are no less punishing in their aftermath.

'Spinal fusion and open chest surgery can be far more painful than many expect,' he told Daily Mail reporters last week. 'These operations disrupt nerves and bones, making post-procedure physiotherapy both essential and excruciating.'

Bone marrow biopsies rank high on Dr Eggitt's list of agonizing procedures. The spongy tissue within certain bones - responsible for creating blood cells - is accessed via a needle inserted into the hip bone.

Patients undergoing this process under local anaesthesia describe feeling 'a pulling sensation' as stem cells are extracted. Post-procedure, many report lingering bone pain that requires mild analgesics to manage. The NHS cautions about infection risks and persistent bruising at the biopsy site.

Lumbar punctures (also called spinal taps) consistently top lists of feared procedures. This test involves inserting a needle between vertebrae in the lower back while patients remain awake. 'Pressure, discomfiture, pins and needles - these are common sensations during insertion,' one recipient described after her experience.

The procedure carries rare but serious complications: long-term back pain, nerve damage leading to loss of sensation in limbs, even hearing impairment or double vision in extreme cases. Yet for diagnosing brain conditions or administering anaesthesia directly into the spinal fluid, it remains indispensable.

Open-heart surgery and sternotomy procedures involve making large incisions across the chest wall. This allows access to vital organs like the heart but requires steel wires to reattach broken breastbone segments after surgery.

Recovery is grueling - patients often report moderate to severe pain when moving or breathing deeply in post-operative weeks. The NHS urges regular medication use rather than waiting for pain to intensify, emphasizing that 'preventing pain through consistent dosing enables better mobility and comfort.'

Total knee replacements might seem straightforward but are among the most painful procedures according to Dr Eggitt's analysis. The procedure replaces worn cartilage with metal/plastic components while repositioning bones.

'Even under general anaesthesia, this is traumatic for both nerves and bone structure,' he warned. Patients must plan recovery meticulously: arranging seating arrangements, sleeping positions, daily activities all play crucial roles in post-surgery comfort.

The NHS recommends starting ambulation as soon after surgery as possible - using crutches or walking frames if needed. 'Delayed movement increases pain levels significantly,' Dr Eggitt stressed when discussing rehabilitation strategies.

Hysteroscopy procedures for examining uterine interiors are another painful option despite their diagnostic importance. One-third of women undergoing the test report severe pain, according to Royal College data.

The procedure involves passing a telescope through the cervix while patients may receive local or general anaesthesia depending on medical history - including past traumas from contraceptive coil insertions. NHS guidance recommends taking ibuprofen beforehand and requesting sedation if available at facilities offering these options.

Experts emphasize that pain management should be proactive rather than reactive in all cases. Whether dealing with post-operative discomfort or diagnostic procedures, Dr Eggitt insists: 'Understanding potential challenges allows patients to prepare physically and mentally for the journey ahead.'