Prospective Analysis of a Novel Long-acting Oral Opioid Analgesic Regimen for Pain Control After Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty
Richard Lynn Illgena b✉, Teresa A. Pellinoc, Debra B. Gordonc, Sheryl Buttsc, John P. Heinerb d
- aDepartment of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, University of Wisconsin Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53792, USA
- bDepartment of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison Wisconsin
- cDepartment of Nursing ,University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics, Madison, Wisconsin
- dDepartment of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, University of Wisconsin Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
- ✉Corresponding author
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Abstract
Parenteral opioid use after total knee (TKA) and hip (THA) arthroplasty often results in substantial functional interference and side effects. This prospective study compared use of traditional intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV PCA) with a novel oral regimen after TKA and THA. Sixty-two patients received IV PCA and 62 received scheduled long-acting and, as needed, short-acting oral opioids postoperatively. Surveys and chart audits documented functional interference, pain scores, opioid-related side effects, and opioid consumption. Patients who received the oral regimen had significantly less opioid consumption (P < .05) and experienced less functional interference (P < .05) than the IV PCA group. Both groups had similar pain scores and incidence of opioid side effects. This study demonstrates some significant advantages of an oral analgesic regimen compared with IV PCA after TKA and THA.