“We begin at the pre-operative testing stage, discussing any special challenges the person may face regarding pain management,” says Anna Battat, MD, an anesthesiologist on the Medical Staff of Penn Medicine Princeton Health. “For example, we check for sensitivities or allergies to certain medications; whether the person has been chronically using pain medication, which can mean they may have developed a tolerance to the medication; and whether there is a history of opioid use disorder.”
While most patients may need to take an opioid briefly to manage pain following a joint replacement, every effort is made to limit their use.
“We focus a lot on non-narcotic pain medications, nerve blocks, and icing to help reduce pain and swelling,” says Dr. Battat. “We also use spinal anesthesia in the operating room, which helps reduce pain in the early recovery stage. When a patient does need to use an opioid for a short time, we provide guidance on the usage and tailor it to their needs.”
Additionally, when leaving the hospital after a joint replacement, patients are given a kit with instructions on how to properly dispose of any leftover prescribed opioids.