Individual patient responses to some of the standard-of-care treatments for post operative pain management are unpredictable, but studies have shown undertreatment of acute post operative pain is common. There are new, innovative techniques for postoperative pain management that may improve a patients' recovery period. These techniques are also economically beneficial, and may contribute to the reduction of long-term care costs. Overall, the less time a patient is removed from normal day-to-day activity, the more satisfied they tend to be with their surgical experience. The following article addresses these and other issues surrounding the reduction of pain and cost after surgery.