Why Does My Incision Still Hurt Months After Surgery?
It can be concerning when your incision still hurts months after surgery—especially if you expected to feel “fully healed” by now. While most surgical incisions improve within weeks, persistent post-surgical pain (PPSP) is more common than many patients realize.
At Suncoast Surgical Associates, patients often ask whether ongoing incision discomfort is normal or a sign of something more serious. The answer depends on several factors, including nerve healing, scar tissue formation, inflammation, and the type of surgery performed.
Let’s break down what may be happening—and when you should seek evaluation.
Is It Normal for an Incision to Hurt Months Later?
Research shows that 10–30% of patients experience chronic post-surgical pain lasting more than 3 months, depending on the type of surgery (Kehlet et al., 2006; Schug & Bruce, 2017). In some procedures, rates can be even higher.
Persistent incision pain is typically defined as pain that:
Lasts longer than 3 months
Develops after surgery
Cannot be explained by infection or another diagnosis
This condition is known as chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP).
Common Causes of Incision Pain Months After Surgery
1. Nerve Healing and Nerve Irritation
During surgery, small skin nerves are often cut or stretched. As nerves regenerate, they can cause:
Burning sensations
Sharp, stabbing pain
Tingling or “electric” feelings
Hypersensitivity around the scar
Nerve regeneration occurs slowly—about 1 mm per day—and abnormal nerve healing can lead to prolonged discomfort (Schug & Bruce, 2017).
If your scar feels overly sensitive to light touch, this may be neuropathic pain rather than standard tissue healing.
2. Scar Tissue and Adhesions
Scar tissue forms as part of normal healing. However, excessive scar formation or internal adhesions can cause tightness and pulling sensations months later.
Abdominal surgeries are particularly associated with adhesions, which may contribute to chronic discomfort (Kehlet et al., 2006).
Symptoms may include:
Tightness when stretching
Pain with certain movements
Deep pulling sensations
3. Chronic Inflammation
Even after the incision appears healed on the surface, inflammation can persist beneath the skin. Ongoing inflammatory signaling may contribute to pain sensitivity (Schug & Bruce, 2017).
Risk factors include:
Infection history
Obesity
Diabetes
Smoking
4. Hernia at the Incision Site (Incisional Hernia)
If your surgery involved the abdomen, a new bulge or increasing pain near the incision could indicate an incisional hernia.
Incisional hernias can develop months or even years after surgery and are more common following abdominal procedures (Burger et al., 2004).
Warning signs include:
Visible bulge near scar
Pain when coughing or lifting
Worsening discomfort over time
If you notice these symptoms, evaluation is important.
5. Chronic Post-Surgical Pain Syndrome (CPSP)
CPSP occurs when the nervous system remains sensitized long after tissues have healed. Research shows that central nervous system sensitization can amplify pain signals even without ongoing tissue damage (Kehlet et al., 2006).
This type of pain often:
Persists beyond expected healing time
Feels disproportionate to exam findings
May require specialized management
When Should You Be Concerned?
You should contact a surgeon if you experience:
Increasing pain instead of gradual improvement
Redness, warmth, or drainage
A new bulge near the incision
Fever
Severe pain with movement
At Suncoast Surgical Associates, our surgical team evaluates post-operative concerns thoroughly to rule out complications such as hernias, infections, or abnormal scar formation.
How Is Persistent Incision Pain Treated?
Treatment depends on the underlying cause.
For Nerve-Related Pain:
Topical treatments
Neuropathic medications
Scar desensitization therapy
For Scar Tightness:
Physical therapy
Scar mobilization
Massage techniques
For Incisional Hernias:
Imaging
Surgical repair if necessary
For Chronic Post-Surgical Pain:
Multimodal pain management
Referral to pain specialists when appropriate
Early evaluation improves outcomes. If you’re unsure whether your symptoms are normal, it’s always better to have your surgeon assess the area.
Why Choose Suncoast Surgical Associates?
At Suncoast Surgical Associates, patients receive comprehensive surgical care from experienced providers serving the Tampa Bay area. Our team understands that healing does not always follow a straight timeline.
We:
Evaluate persistent incision pain thoroughly
Screen for hernias and complications
Provide individualized recovery plans
Offer advanced minimally invasive surgical solutions when needed
If your incision still hurts months after surgery, you don’t have to ignore it—or guess what’s happening.
Incision pain months after surgery is not uncommon. In fact, research shows that up to 30% of patients experience persistent post-surgical pain depending on the procedure (Kehlet et al., 2006; Schug & Bruce, 2017). Causes range from nerve regeneration and scar tissue to incisional hernias.
If your discomfort is worsening, persistent, or concerning, a surgical evaluation can provide clarity and peace of mind.
Works Cited
Burger, J. W. A., Luijendijk, R. W., Hop, W. C. J., Halm, J. A., Verdaasdonk, E. G. G., & Jeekel, J. (2004). Long-term follow-up of a randomized controlled trial of suture versus mesh repair of incisional hernia. Annals of Surgery, 240(4), 578–585. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.sla.0000141193.08524.e7
Kehlet, H., Jensen, T. S., & Woolf, C. J. (2006). Persistent postsurgical pain: Risk factors and prevention. The Lancet, 367(9522), 1618–1625. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(06)68700-X
Schug, S. A., & Bruce, J. (2017). Risk stratification for the development of chronic postsurgical pain. Pain Reports, 2(6), e627. https://doi.org/10.1097/PR9.0000000000000627