post-surgical
Following an operation
Post-surgical describes the period or conditions following a surgical procedure: post-surgical care, post-surgical complications, post-surgical recovery.
The term appears in medical contexts to distinguish what happens after an operation from what comes before (pre-surgical) or during (intraoperative).
Restoration of health
- rehabilitationRecovery from injury/addiction
- convalescencePost-illness healing phase
- recuperationGradual return to health
- physical therapyRehabilitative movement-based medical care
wound care · rest · mobility · discharge · follow-up · checkup · outpatient · home care
Factor that adds difficulty
- infectionPathogen invasion causing illness
- swellingAbnormal tissue enlargement
- drainageLiquid removal system
- suturesMedical wound closures
staples · dressing change · hematoma · adhesion · blood clot · DVT · nausea · fever
Treatment of bodily injuries
- bandageWound covering strip
- gauzeOpen-weave medical fabric
- antisepticMicrobe-killing substance
- cleaningRemoving dirt and mess
irrigation · debridement · steri-strips · scarring · keloid · antibiotic cream · dietary guidelines · hydration
Mild physical or mental distress
- sorenessTender, painful sensation
- tendernessGentle, caring quality
- analgesicPain-relieving medication
- painkillerMedication reducing discomfort
opioid · acetaminophen · ibuprofen · nerve block · epidural · inflammation · throbbing · sharp
Graduated-pressure leg garments
- elastic bandageStretchy medical wrap
- knee braceLeg joint stabilizer
- slingStrap-based support or launcher
- immobilizerDevice preventing movement
healing
Restoration of health
- rehabilitationRecovery from injury/addiction
- convalescencePost-illness healing phase
- recuperationGradual return to health
physical therapy · wound care · rest · mobility · discharge · follow-up · checkup · outpatient · home care · walking aid
complication
Factor that adds difficulty
- infectionPathogen invasion causing illness
- swellingAbnormal tissue enlargement
- drainageLiquid removal system
sutures · staples · dressing change · hematoma · adhesion · blood clot · DVT · nausea · fever · monitoring
wound management
Treatment of bodily injuries
- bandageWound covering strip
- gauzeOpen-weave medical fabric
- antisepticMicrobe-killing substance
cleaning · irrigation · debridement · steri-strips · scarring · keloid · antibiotic cream · dietary guidelines · hydration · nutrition
discomfort
Mild physical or mental distress
- sorenessTender, painful sensation
- tendernessGentle, caring quality
- analgesicPain-relieving medication
painkiller · opioid · acetaminophen · ibuprofen · nerve block · epidural · inflammation · throbbing · sharp · dull ache
compression stockings
Graduated-pressure leg garments
- elastic bandageStretchy medical wrap
- knee braceLeg joint stabilizer
- slingStrap-based support or launcher
post-surgicalpre-surgical
Before a medical procedure
preoperative · pre-operative · presurgical · pre-op · before surgery