Protocol Reduces Opioid Use After Knee or Shoulder Surgery
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An opioid-sparing protocol successfully reduces the need for opioid medication after outpatient arthroscopic knee or shoulder surgery, new research suggests. In a randomized clinical trial that included 200 participants, median opioid consumption was 0 mg in the opioid-sparing group and 40 mg in the standard care (control) group.
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@sasical The researchers randomly assigned 200 patients undergoing outpatient arthroscopic shoulder or knee surgery to receive an opioid-sparing protocol or standard care, which consisted of an opioid analgesic. The opioid-sparing protocol included:
Naproxen
Acetaminophen (paracetamol)
Pantoprazole
A limited rescue prescription of hydromorphone in case of breakthrough pain
Patient education, including information on pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic pain management strategies