Is This Pain Normal After Surgery?
After surgery, some pain at the operation site is expected. Published NHS guidance indicates that surgical site pain, muscle soreness from positioning during the procedure, and discomfort from swelling are all part of the normal healing process. This pain typically peaks in the first 24–72 hours and gradually improves over the following days and weeks. The speed of improvement varies by procedure, minor surgery may feel significantly better within days, while major surgery often involves weeks of recovery.
Certain types of pain after surgery may warrant medical review. Published Royal College of Surgeons guidance highlights several patterns to be aware of: pain that is getting worse rather than better after the first 3–5 days, new pain appearing in a location away from the surgical site (particularly one-sided calf pain, which may suggest DVT, or chest pain with breathlessness, which may suggest PE), sudden severe pain after a period of improvement, and pain that is not controlled despite taking medication as prescribed. These patterns do not necessarily indicate a serious problem, but they are worth discussing with your surgical team.
It is also worth noting that recovery is rarely a straight line. Published guidance acknowledges that many patients experience “setback days”, a day of increased pain or swelling after a period of improvement, often triggered by overdoing activity. A single bad day followed by return to the improving trend is different from a sustained worsening pattern. If in doubt, contacting your GP or surgical team for reassurance is always appropriate.
Frequently asked questions
Is it normal for pain to get worse before it gets better after surgery?
A temporary increase in pain (often called a “setback day”) is common, particularly if you have been more active than usual. Published NHS guidance indicates this is different from a sustained worsening trend. If pain increases significantly and does not settle within a day or two of rest, or if it is accompanied by new symptoms (fever, wound changes, swelling), contacting your surgical team is appropriate.
Should I go to A&E for pain after surgery?
Published NHS guidance recommends seeking urgent medical attention for: sudden severe pain (especially chest pain or severe abdominal pain), pain with significant shortness of breath, one-sided calf pain with swelling (possible DVT), or pain accompanied by high fever and wound changes suggesting infection. For ongoing pain that is not improving but is not severe or sudden, contacting your GP or surgical team during normal hours is usually the appropriate first step.
Your recovery toolkit
Free interactive tools to track your recovery day by day. Everything stays on your device — nothing is uploaded or shared.
These tools support — never replace — the advice of your surgical team. If something feels wrong, contact your doctor or emergency services.