Are Opioids Always Necessary? This Post-op Protocol Study Says Maybe Not.

A recent study (2021) assessed the efficacy of nonopioid pain protocols versus opioid control in mitigating postoperative pain following knee surgery. Read the surprising results in the summary.

Researchers conducted a controlled study assessing the effectiveness of a nonopioid pain regimen in controlling postoperative pain in orthopedic surgery patients following meniscus (knee) surgery.

All patients reported satisfaction with their pain levels without requiring emergency opioid analgesia.

Their findings were published in the Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery in 2021. The results of the study showed that:

  • Patients receiving a nonopioid regimen demonstrated noninferior visual analog scale scores compared with patients who received opioid pain medication
  • No significant differences were found in preoperative or postoperative Patient-Reported
    Outcomes Measurement and Information System Pain Interference Short Form scores
  • A nonopioid pain protocol provided equivalent pain control and patient outcomes following knee surgery while having an equivalent side effect profile

In addition to the clinical efficacy of the nonopioid pain management protocol, all patients reported satisfaction with their pain levels without requiring emergency opioid analgesia.

Access the full study: Multimodal Nonopioid Pain Protocol Provides Equivalent Pain Versus Opioid Control Following Meniscus Surgery: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

Cryotherapy Study Shows Pain Management Gains with Compression

A study originally published in The Journal of Knee Surgery looks at the efficacy of cryotherapy combined with compression in ACL repair cases, versus standard cryotherapy alone. Read the summary.

Patient Education Materials Study Shows Gap in Recommended Reading Levels

A recent study looked at the content and quality of online patient education material related to postoperative opioid use in pain management. Read the results in the summary.

Changing Patient Behavior in Disposal of Excess Opioids

A surgical center partnered with a nonprofit agency to study the behavior of patients in disposing of excess opioids prescribed to them following outpatient surgery. Read the summary.

Opioid Education’s Impact 2 Years Post Op

Rothman Institute studied the impact of preoperative opioid use education on opioid consumption at a 2 year follow up interval with surgery patients. The study received a 2018 Neer Award.…

Study Finds Optional Opioid Refills Leads to Safer Communities

A recent study examined the impact of prescription instructions on the consumption of opioids by patients following knee surgery. Read the results in the summary.

Meta-analysis Shows Post-op Opioid Consumption Reduction Possible With Right Pain Control Approach

A comprehensive review of multiple studies evaluated the effects of post-op nonopioid adjunct analgesia on postoperative opioid consumption and pain control in patients undergoing knee arthroscopy.​​ Read the summary.

Opioid Education Study Proves Knowledge is Power

Researchers assessed the relationship between preoperative opioid use education and consumption by surgical patients. Their findings were published in JAMA. Read the summary.

WE’RE HERE TO HELP

Please send us a note at hello@graymontx.com for more information or fill out 'Contact Us' form.
Contact Us