Researchers investigated the impact of preoperative opioid use on total knee arthroplasty outcomes, in a study published in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery.
The study included 156 patients with a mean age of 65.7 years. Of those patients, 36 had at least one opioid prescription.
Here are five things to know:
1. For the non-opioid group, the mean baseline Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index score was 43 points, compared to 46.9 points for the opioid group.
2. Researchers found the mean preoperative Pain Catastrophizing Scale score to be greater for the opioid group (15.5) compared to the non-opioid group (10.7).
3. The opioid group experienced a mean six-month WOMAC pain score reduction of 27 points, compared to 33.6 points for the non-opioid group.
4. Researchers concluded preoperative opioid use for TKA patients yields less pain relief after the surgery.
5. Researchers recommend surgeons limit preoperative opioid use for TKA patients.