title: Analgesics for orthopedic postoperative pain.
abstract: Postoperative pain management is critical for optimal care of orthopedic surgery patients. Opioids, administered intramuscularly, as epidurals, or IV as patient-controlled analgesia, are effective for severe pain. Adjunctive therapy and preemptive analgesia such as nerve blocks, and methods of delivery such as infusion pumps, may be used after total knee arthroplasty and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Oral opioids are effective for moderate to severe pain, and tramadol, with efficacy comparable to morphine but with fewer severe side effects, is selected for moderate to moderately severe pain. Opioid-sparing NSAIDs, such as ketorolac, and COX-2-specific NSAIDS have use in pain management of hip, knee, and ACL procedures. An individualized regimen of appropriate analgesics, combined with nonpharmacologic treatments such as physical therapy or cryotherapy and patient education, can aid orthopedic surgery patients' recovery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, University of Utah School of Medicine, USA. mhbourne@msn.com
authors.forename: Michael H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Bourne
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D016058:Analgesia, Patient-Controlled; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid