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.

In 2020, researchers conducted a controlled study assessing whether patients who were provided a prescription for opioids and instructed to only fill the prescription if absolutely necessary would consume fewer opioids than patients whose opioid prescription was automatically included.

Patients undergoing meniscus surgery were provided non-opioid pain control, and randomized to receive oxycodone as either included with their multimodal pain medications (group 1) or given an optional prescription to fill (group 2).

Offering optional opioid prescriptions in the setting of a multimodal approach to pain control can significantly reduce the number of unused opioids circulating in the community.

After analyzing the data, the researchers conducting the study found that:

  • Patients required a minimal number of opioids after knee arthroscopic surgery with partial meniscectomy. 
  • There was no significant reduction in the number of pills taken whether the opioid prescription was included in the pain control regimen or patients were given an option to fill the prescription if needed.
  • Offering optional opioid prescriptions in the setting of a multimodal approach to pain control can significantly reduce the number of unused opioids circulating in the community.

Access the full study: Can We Eliminate Opioid Medications for Postoperative Pain Control? A Prospective, Surgeon-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial in Knee Arthroscopic Surgery 

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.

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.

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.…

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.

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