Limitations to self-care in the ambulatory surgical patient

Myalgia, or muscle pain, is a common postoperative phenomenon. Causes of myalgia include age, gender, medication, positioning, and abdominal insufflation for laparoscopic surgery. For some patients, myalgia may be more severe than surgically induced pain. This study explored postoperative myalgia from the perspective of self-care limitations. Sixty-three individuals were surveyed, and responses were analyzed using unidimensional and multidimensional scaling techniques. Subjects reported back pain and the inability to accomplish high-energy activities of daily living to be most incapacitating after surgery. Results of this investigation may be used to structure preoperative teaching and perianesthetic nursing interventions.