Here are six takeaways:
1. In the study, opioid intake was compared with disability and satisfaction with surgery and pain relief both at the time of suture removal and at the follow-up appointment.
2. No association was found between opioid intake and disability, satisfaction with the surgery or satisfaction with pain management at the time of suture removal or follow-up appointments.
3. Opioid use was associated with pain due to activity and greater catastrophic thinking at suture removal and follow-up appointments.
4. Greater disability was associated with catastrophic thinking and a poor response to the surgery and pain.
5. The study found, 83 percent of patients were using opioids at the time of the suture removal. At the time of follow-up appointments, 24 percent of patients were using opioids.
6. David Ring, MD, author of the study, said, “The pre-operative discussion of pain relief is important. Patients also should be screened for symptoms of depression, less effective coping strategies and the risk for misuse.
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