Also alarming, the United States makes up less than 5 percent of the world’s population, it uses 80 percent of the global opioid supply and about 99 percent of all hydrocodone.
According to AAOS, the large usage of opioids for pain management has lead to:
1. A built up tolerance to the drug
2. Negative treatment outcomes for conditions such as work-related musculoskeletal disorders, joint replacements and spine surgery.
3. Unlawful use of the medication
4. Addiction and unintended overdoses
“Physicians should aim to control pain and improve patient satisfaction while avoiding overprescribing opioids. A comprehensive strategy of risk assessment is needed to identify patients who may be at-risk for opioid abuse,” study co-author Brent J. Morris, MD, shoulder and elbow surgeon with the Lexington Clinic Orthopedics – Sports Medicine Center, said to AAOS. “Objective measures including patient history, recognition of aberrant behavior, urine drug testing, state prescription drug-monitoring programs, and opioid risk-assessment screening tools may be necessary in select cases.”
More articles on orthopedics:
Dr. Scott Trenhaile presents at 1st European Symposium of Biomaterials in Spine & Orthopedics — 4 key notes
Dr. Wilson Choy joins Beebe Healthcare’s board of directors: 4 things to know
Dr. Kent Lowry receives ASTM award: 5 things to know
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