Effect of the PainCoach App on Pain and Opiate Use After Total Knee Replacement

Effect of the PainCoach App on Pain and Opiate Use in the First Two Weeks After Total Knee Replacement: Randomised Controlled Trial

Less is known about pain and opiate use at home directly after total knee replacement (TKR). Regarding side effects, low opiate use is desired. An e-health application, PainCoach app, was developed to guide patients in pain control and opiate use.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the PainCoach app on pain and opiate use in TKR patients in the first two weeks at home after surgery. The hypothesis was that the use of this app would decrease pain and opiate use.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Planned for primary TKR

Exclusion Criteria:

• No possession of a smartphone or tablet
• Contra-indication to any of the pain medication used in the study
• No email address
• No internet at home
• No thorough command of the Dutch language
• Suffering from memory disorders
• Surgery under general anaesthesia