FDA: Lowering Orthopedic Opioid Dosing (FLOOD)

Reducing the Use of Opioid Therapy Following Orthopedic Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This randomized trial evaluates an intervention to minimize use of opioids following total hip and total knee replacement. Half the participants will receive an intervention (mailed educational materials, followed by a pharmacist call), and half will receive usual care.

Surgeons and anesthesiologists prescribe opioids and other analgesic medications for acute, post-surgical pain. Recent studies have reported that some patients persist in taking opioids for months beyond the surgery. While opioids are commonly used for pain management following surgery, patients and their providers often don't have a planned method to optimize opioid exposure. This can lead to patients entering a cycle of opioid use that is difficult to manage, because, as opioid exposure is continued, pain relief is reduced and side effects increase. The investigators' study is aimed at reducing opioid exposure following total hip and total knee replacement.

Inclusion Criteria:

• total hip replacement or total knee replacement
• 1 year membership with KPNW prior to enrollment

Exclusion Criteria:

• managed by pain clinic, in other pain management trial
• patients at low risk of persistent opioid use