Patient expectations about the level of pain after surgery
can influence their coping mechanisms (Haggar-Holt, 2009).
Fear of the unknown increases pre- and postoperative anxiety,
causing stress which has been shown to increase postoperative
pain intensity (Sjoling et al, 2003). In this study, 74% of
patients felt that their pain was ‘what they expected’ or ‘less
than expected’, showing that they were not expecting to be
pain free although 26% felt their worst pain was ‘somewhat’
or ‘much worse’ than they expected. This may be because
patients have had unrealistic expectations before surgery or
they may have had inadequate pain relief.