Despite the widespread use of opioids for pain control in post-operative joint arthroplasty patients, data regarding actual opioid consumption in opioid-naive patients during the recovery period are limited. We sought to determine postoperative opioid consumption for opioid-naïve patients undergoing total knee and hip arthroplasty (THA and TKA) procedures. The study cohort consisted of 55 patients (29 females, 26 males) who underwent either primary unilateral TKA (n=28) or THA (n=27). Prior to discharge, patients were provided with a medication log on which to track daily consumption of pain medicine. Patients were asked to provide details regarding the type of pain medication, quantity and frequency of use, and pain score at the time of use. Patients were contacted weekly by a member of the study team to monitor compliance. Specific opioid prescription information was acquired for each subject using their electronic medical record. Subjects returned the completed logs once they ceased opioid use post-operatively. Daily quantity was converted to daily Morphine Equivalent Dose (MED). Average daily, weekly, and total post-operative use was calculated for all opioid data variables. Descriptive statistics (mean, frequency, deviation) were used to analyze opioid data. All dependent variables were compared between TKA and THA patients using separate independent samples t-tests or Chi-square tests.Introduction
Methods
Opioids are an integral part of pain management following total joint replacement procedures; however, to date, no evidence-based guidelines which regulate opioid prescribing practices exist. In order to determine an appropriate number of opioids required to control pain for post-arthroplasty patients, it is important to understand why patients are using them. We sought to identify the causes of pain which necessitated opioid consumption for patients following total knee (TKA) and total hip (THA) arthroplasty. The study cohort consisted of 55 patients (29 females, 26 males) who underwent either primary unilateral TKA (n=28) or THA (n=27). Prior to discharge, patients were provided with a pain diary in which to record details regarding the type of pain medication used, the time of use, pain score at the time of use, and the specific reason for use. Subjects returned the completed logs once they ceased opioid use post-operatively. Based on responses, we categorized reasons for use into either Activity, which was further classified into ADL and Exercise, or Rest, which was further classified into Sleeping, Sitting, and Laying Down. Average and frequency of opioid consumption was calculated for each category, along with the pain score at the time of use for each category. All dependent variables were compared between TKA and THA patients using separate independent samples t-tests or Chi-square tests.Introduction
Methods
