Overview
Muscles, bones, nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues are intimately involved structures within the body. Part of the surgeon’s challenge is to repair the structures in need without injuring nearby tissues. Even the finest surgeon cannot prevent post-surgical adhesions and scars from forming as a natural part of post-surgical healing.
Adhesions form as the first step in the healing process. Tiny cross-links, which are the ‘building blocks’ of adhesions, rush in to begin the repair process after a trauma, creating scars that last a lifetime. Adhesions form in three areas:
- In tissues, the surgeon cuts through to access the surgical site
- Where the surgeon cuts, burns, or reattaches tissues that require surgical intervention
- In nearby tissues injured by the surgery or inflamed after surgery.
In an ideal recovery, surgical adhesions and scars glue only those sites that were cut. Unfortunately, post-surgical adhesions can grow beyond the surgeon’s initial intent. These additional adhesions may bind neighboring structures that are designed to move independently. When that happens, the post-surgical adhesions and scars can create unusual pulls in the body, often causing pain or dysfunction that can confound patients and physicians alike.
Why Choose Clear Passage®
We know post-surgical adhesions well. We faced this situation 30 years ago when the director of Clear Passage®, physical therapist Belinda Wurn, developed severe adhesions after pelvic surgery and radiation therapy to her abdomen. Unable to work due to the pain, and having seen the devastating and debilitating effects of adhesions in her own patients, she was determined to find a non-surgical way to decrease or eliminate adhesions.
Common Symptoms
- Persistent or chronic pain near the surgical site
- Tenderness or sensitivity around the incision or scar
- Pulling, tightness, or tugging sensations internally
- Pain that worsens with movement, lifting, stretching, or activity
- Restricted range of motion or stiffness in surrounding tissues
- Numbness, tingling, burning, or shooting pain (nerve-related symptoms)
- Swelling, pressure, or a feeling of internal congestion
- Pain that appears or worsens months or years after surgery
- Discomfort during daily activities such as walking, standing, or reaching
- Pain during intimacy or pelvic discomfort (more common after C-section, hysterectomy, and myomectomy)
- Fatigue associated with ongoing pain
The severity and combination of symptoms vary by individual, and not all patients experience long-term pain after surgery. Persistent or worsening symptoms should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.
