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Postoperative Rebound Pain: Our Current Understanding About the Role of Regional Anesthesia and Multimodal Approaches in Prevention and Treatment

  • Acute Pain Medicine (R Urman, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Rebound pain (RP) is a common occurrence after peripheral nerve block placement, especially when blocks are used for orthopedic surgery. This literature review focuses on the incidence and risk factors for RP as well as preventative and treatment strategies.

Recent Findings

The addition of adjuvants to a block, when appropriate, and starting patients on oral analgesics prior to sensory resolution are reasonable approaches. Using continuous nerve block techniques can provide extended analgesia through the immediate postoperative phase when pain is the most intense.

Summary

Peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs) are associated with RP, a frequent phenomenon that must be recognized and addressed to prevent short-term pain and patient dissatisfaction, as well as long-term complications and avoidable hospital resource utilization. Knowledge about the advantages and limitations of PNBs allows the anesthesiologists to anticipate, intervene, and hopefully mitigate or avoid the phenomenon of RP.

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References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Mount Sinai Morningside and West Hospitals, New York, NY, USA

    Elizabeth Luebbert & Meg A. Rosenblatt

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  1. Elizabeth Luebbert
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  2. Meg A. Rosenblatt
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Correspondence to Meg A. Rosenblatt.

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Luebbert, E., Rosenblatt, M.A. Postoperative Rebound Pain: Our Current Understanding About the Role of Regional Anesthesia and Multimodal Approaches in Prevention and Treatment. Curr Pain Headache Rep 27, 449–454 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-023-01136-z

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