Set back of ears can be uncomfortable initially. About 5% of patients complain of considerable post-operative pain, and less than 1% of patients suffer pain after 48 hours.  The pain does not indicate that anything has gone wrong, merely that the sutures are pulling on the mastoid fascia (which is intended) and are irritating it, and this will take a couple of days to settle. 

We recommend that you take a five minute walk outside every hour during the day time if at all possible – the pain at this stage will be reflex muscle spasm, and a new activity can usually break the cycle of pain and muscle contraction.  Chewing crushed up ice can also help. 

Regularly for two or three days you can take:

Paracetamol – Two 500mg tablets up to SIX hourly

 In combination with:

Two to four 200mg tablets of Ibuprofen SIX hourly always with food (do not take this tablet if it causes you stomach irritation)

 You should stagger the medication as below – the empty boxes are for you to tick to remember what you have taken and when. The NO means do not take that type of tablet at that time. 

	06:00	07:00	10:00	13:00	14:00	18:00	19:00	22:00	01:00	02:00
Paracetamol 500mg tabs TWO		NO		NO			NO		NO
Ibuprofen 200mg tabs TWO to FOUR	NO		NO		NO	NO		NO		NO

 

If you are having considerable pain, it is better to take the tablet regularly for a few days, rather than have the pain break through and then try to fight a rear-guard action. It is best to stay off anything stronger because of their side effects.