Editorial Commentary: Time to Transition to Opioid-Sparing Orthopaedic Surgery: The Writing Is on the Wall.

Abstract

Opioid pain medications continue to play a role in postoperative pain control following elective arthroscopic surgery. Recent evidence suggests that patients who consume opioids preoperatively are at risk for inferior patient-reported outcomes. They are also more likely to consume opioids for longer periods of time following surgery relative to their opioid-naïve counterparts. However, limited evidence currently exists regarding whether discontinuing opioid use in anticipation of surgery avoids these deleterious effects. Orthopaedic surgeons have an obligation to limit the number of opioids necessary to control postoperative pain.