This is a randomized controlled trial of 200 patients between the ages of 18 and 65 years undergoing outpatient knee or shoulder arthroscopy. Patients will be evaluated clinically at 2 and 6 weeks post-operatively. Patients will be recruited from experienced arthroscopic surgeons at 3 hospital sites in Hamilton, Ontario. All research will be conducted according to international standards of Good Clinical Practice and institutional research policies and procedures.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients undergoing outpatient knee or shoulder arthroscopy for any of the following procedures: ACL reconstruction (with or without LET), MPFL reconstruction (not including TTO), Chondroplasty, Meniscectomy, Meniscal repair Meniscal transplant, Microfracture, ACI, Fixation of unstable osteochondral lesion, Subacromial decompression, Rotator cuff repair, Shoulder stabilization, Superior capsule reconstruction, Biceps tenotomy/tenodesis, Capsular release, SLAP repair, Diagnostic arthroscopy, Irrigation and/or debridement, Loose body removal, Synovectomy
2. Patients aged 18 years and older
3. Patients who have the ability to speak, understand, and read English
4. Provision of informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients who take or are on a home dose of an opioid medication (i.e. once daily or more)
2. Patients involved in ongoing litigation or compensation claims for any injury (e.g. Work Safety Insurance Board, WSIB)
3. Patients involved in another research study that requires a specific post-operative pain control medication regimen
4. Patients undergoing a knee or shoulder arthroscopy procedure that will likely have an operative time greater than 3 hours
5. Patients who will undergo concomitant open surgery
6. Patients who require overnight admission
7. Patients with a contraindication or allergy to NSAIDs, acetaminophen, or morphine and hydromorphone
8. Patients diagnosed with renal disease or cardiac disease
9. Patients who are scheduled for/plan to have an additional surgical procedure during the 6-week follow-up period
10. Patients who will likely have problems, in the judgement of the investigator, with maintaining follow-up
11. Any other reason(s) the investigator feels is relevant for excluding the patient

No data sharing

Given that patients in the intervention group will receive a pamphlet explaining how to use their prescription allocation, patient blinding is not feasible. Surgeons cannot be blinded as they will need to sign the prescriptions and provide any necessary advice about the medications being prescribed. Outcome assessors and data analysts will be blinded.