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Nonopioid Pain Treatment for Joint Surgery

Nonopioid Pain Treatment for Joint Surgery

May 7, 2021

Non-opioid Pain Treatment for Joint Surgery

The medical community has recognized the contribution of prescription opioids in the growing national opioid crisis. More research studies are evaluating the safety and efficacy of opioid alternatives and multimodal pain protocols. The goal is to find perioperative pain management strategies that are more effective and safer than the use of opioid medications.

New Pain Treatment Alternative Research

A new study by Henry Ford Health System published in Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery is an example of steps being taken to eliminate the use of opioids to relieve pain after joint surgery. This study found that a multimodal nonopioid pain treatment protocol provides equivalent pain control following meniscus surgery without increased side effects. Patients in this study reported satisfaction with their pain management without requiring emergency opioid pain medications.

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“Orthopaedic surgeons can now perform meniscal knee surgery without the need for prescribing opioids whatsoever,” said Toufic Jildeh, M.D., chief resident at Henry Ford’s Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, “We believe this non-opioid approach can be replicated for other types of orthopedic surgeries.”

See Full Research Abstract: Multimodal Nonopioid Pain Protocol Provides Equivalent Pain Versus Opioid Control Following Meniscus Surgery: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

Decreasing or eliminating the use of opioids for perioperative pain control is becoming a standard of care for orthopaedic surgical procedures. At the Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee, our surgeons and care team work to individualize a multimodal pain treatment plan that is best for each patient. If fears about opioid medications is an obstacle for seeking joint pain treatment, please contact our office for more information on the latest nonopioid treatment options.

Cory Calendine, MD is an Orthopaedic Surgeon and founding partner of the Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee at Williamson County Hospital in Franklin, TN. Dr. Calendine is an expert in Joint Replacement, specializing in Hip and Knee Surgery. From diagnosis through treatment, the Orthopaedic Surgical experts at the Bone and Joint Institute use the latest techniques and technology to improve care for people with musculoskeletal problems. For more information, please contact our office or schedule your appointment today.

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT CONTACT DR. CALENDINE CLINIC LOCATION AND HOURS

Subvastus vs Medial Parapatellar Knee Replacement

Learn the key differences between subvastus and medial parapatellar knee replacement approaches from Dr. Cory Calendine in Franklin, TN. Discover why the muscle-sparing subvastus technique combined with Mako robotic technology offers faster recovery than traditional methods. Get the facts about Jiffy Knee marketing claims versus proven surgical techniques, and understand how quadriceps-sparing surgery reduces pain and accelerates healing for Nashville area patients seeking advanced knee replacement options.

How Is Direct Anterior Approach Hip Replacement Done?

Direct Anterior Approach (DAA) hip replacement is a revolutionary minimally invasive surgical technique that accesses the hip joint through a precise 3-4 inch incision extending from the Anterior Superior Iliac Spine toward the lateral epicondyle. Unlike traditional hip replacement methods, DAA utilizes the natural intermuscular interval between the tensor fasciae latae and sartorius muscles, preserving muscle integrity without cutting through major muscle groups. The procedure involves positioning the patient supine on a specialized fracture table, carefully dissecting through anatomical layers, and using specialized retractors to access the hip joint while maintaining tissue preservation. This muscle-sparing approach enables same-day discharge, immediate weight-bearing, and significantly faster recovery times, with patients achieving independent mobility up to six days earlier than traditional hip replacement surgery. The technique combines intraoperative fluoroscopy for optimal implant placement with reduced post-operative pain, lower dislocation rates, and improved patient satisfaction, making it the preferred choice for modern total hip arthroplasty procedures.

What Are Indicator Gloves and How Do They Work?

Indicator gloves for surgeons represent a revolutionary advancement in surgical safety technology, utilizing a sophisticated two-layer colored detection system that increases glove perforation detection rates from 34% to an impressive 83% during medical procedures. These specialized surgical gloves feature a bright-colored inner layer that becomes immediately visible when surgical fluids penetrate through outer glove breaches, enabling instant visual alerts for healthcare professionals. With glove perforations occurring in approximately 43% of all surgeries, indicator gloves provide critical protection against surgical site infections, cross-contamination, and bloodborne pathogen transmission, particularly in high-risk specialties including orthopedic surgery, oral/maxillofacial procedures, and obstetrics/gynecology. Clinical studies consistently demonstrate that indicator glove systems enable surgical teams to change gloves 69% more frequently than standard double-gloving methods, significantly reducing infection risks while maintaining sterile field integrity throughout complex surgical procedures. Healthcare facilities implementing indicator glove protocols benefit from enhanced patient safety outcomes, reduced healthcare-associated infection costs, and improved surgical team confidence, making these innovative medical devices an essential component of evidence-based infection prevention strategies in modern surgical practice.