Is It Normal to Feel Worse?

Is it normal for pain to get worse before it gets better?

As per NHS and physiotherapy guidelines (last checked Jul 2026), yes. Recovery is not a straight line. “Setback days” are well documented: you may have 2–3 good days followed by a bad day. Common triggers include: doing slightly too much the day before, sleeping poorly, weather changes, reducing pain medication, and starting new exercises.

Why does my pain feel worse at week 3 than week 1?

As per published surgical guidance (last checked Jul 2026), in the first week strong medication and reduced activity mask the underlying healing process. As you reduce painkillers and increase activity, you feel the surgical site more. This is not damage. It is awareness. Additionally, physiotherapy and increased movement in weeks 2–4 create temporary inflammation that resolves.

How do I know if a setback is normal or something is wrong?

As per NICE NG125 and NHS guidelines (last checked Jul 2026), a normal setback: pain increases after activity but settles with rest, no fever, no new redness or swelling, returns to baseline within 24–48 hours. A concern: pain that does not settle with rest, new fever, spreading redness, sudden sharp pain different from before, new swelling with warmth, or pain that is worse every day for 3+ days without improvement.

I feel like I’ve gone backwards. Should I stop physiotherapy?

As per physiotherapy and surgical guidelines (last checked Jul 2026), temporary increased soreness after physiotherapy is normal and expected. Published guidance distinguishes between “exercise soreness” (dull ache, settles within 24 hours, in the muscle not the joint) and “harmful pain” (sharp, in the joint, persists beyond 24 hours, or causes swelling). If in doubt, tell your physiotherapist: they can modify the programme.

Will I ever feel normal again?

As per NHS and orthopaedic guidelines (last checked Jul 2026), the vast majority of patients reach a good outcome. The frustration of recovery is temporary. Published guidance notes that most patients, looking back, say the recovery was harder than expected but worth it. If you feel you are not progressing at all after several weeks, discuss this with your surgical team.

Ice packs: as per published guidance, icing 20 minutes on, 20 off reduces inflammation and takes the edge off a flare-up. Reusable gel ice packs →

Pain diary or tracker — logging daily scores helps you see the trend, not just today’s bad day. Use our pain tracker tool, it charts your progress over time.

Elevation pillows: elevating the surgical area above heart level reduces swelling that triggers setback pain. Elevation wedges →

An adjustable compression wrap gives extra support to a swollen area on a setback day, without the faff of re-doing hospital dressings. Compression wrap →

A pill organiser helps you stay exactly on schedule with prescribed pain relief during a flare-up, when it's easy to lose track of what you last took and when. Pill organiser →

• Pain is getting worse every day for 3+ days without any improvement

• New fever above 38°C / 100.4°F

• New redness spreading from the wound

• Sharp new pain that is different from your usual surgical pain

• New swelling with warmth

• Calf pain with swelling (possible DVT: seek urgent assessment)