The Effect of Prolonged Multimodal Analgesic Regimen on Post Hospital Discharge Opioid Use and Pain Control After Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty

It is well recognized that a multimodal analgesia program targeting multiple pain pathways, is more effective for controlling pain during the hospital stay and in the acute postoperative period than monotherapy-based regimens, such as opioids only. This multimodal analgesic regimen also leads to reduce opioid consumption and its related side effects after hip and knee joint replacement procedures. One potential strategy to reduce the use of opioids after TKA is to administer a prolonged oral multimodal pain regimen that targets multiple pain pathways in the post hospital discharge period. This can be equal or more effective than the regimen of opioid prescriptions used after TKA. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no studies conducted that directly examine the effect of prolonged multimodal pain regimen after hospital discharge in primary TKA patients.

PURPOSE:

1. To determine whether a prolonged multimodal pain regimen after discharge from primary TKA can provide equivalent or better pain control while reducing opioid consumption and, subsequently, opioid-related side effects.
2. To determine whether patient expectations and routine opioid prescription practices at the time of discharge from primary TKA impacts opioid consumption.