title: Postoperative pain control in total joint arthroplasty: a prospective, randomized study of a fixed-dose, around-the-clock, oral regimen.
abstract: This randomized, prospective study assessed postoperative pain control in 119 patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty. Group 1 (59 patients) received scheduled, around-the-clock, oral opioids and group 2 (60 patients) received oral opioids on an as-needed basis. Both groups had parenteral opioids available for breakthrough pain. The average scores for group 1 were lower than group 2. Differences were significant in sensory scores (AM day 1; AM and PM day 2), affective scores (PM day 2), total pain (PM day 2), visual analog scale (PM day 2), and present pain intensity index (AM day 1; PM day 2). Group 1 averaged 2.05 breakthrough pain doses and group 2 averaged 3.47 doses (P=.003), an average savings of 17.2% of the cost of pain medications during the first 2 postoperative days. The results indicate that scheduled, around-the-clock, oral opioids are an effective treatment regimen for postoperative pain control in total joint arthroplasty patients.
authors: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mt Carmel Health System, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
authors: D A
authors: DA
authors: Flory
authors: R A
authors: RA
authors: Fankhauser
authors: M A
authors: MA
authors: McShane
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006622:Hip Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007720:Knee Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid