Participants receive the standard postoperative multimodal pain regimen following primary total hip arthroplasty. Tramadol is prescribed but the prescription is printed and given to the patient rather than sent to the pharmacy, requiring the patient to actively choose to fill it. This behavioral barrier is designed to reduce opioid consumption while preserving patient autonomy. Pain and medication intake is assessed via daily pain journals and medication logs for the first week, then weekly for two additional weeks. Opioid consumption is also tracked via the Michigan Automated Prescription System (MAPS).

Number of nausea episodes documented. Inpatient episodes collected via electronic medical record; post-discharge episodes recorded by the patient in a postoperative pain journal.

Clinician-administered outcome measure assessing hip pain, function, absence of deformity, and range of motion following total hip arthroplasty. Scored on a scale of 0 to 100, where higher scores indicate better hip function and outcomes.

Patient-reported outcome measure assessing self-reported capability to perform physical activities. Administered via the PROMIS Physical Function item bank at scheduled postoperative follow-up visits. Scores are reported as T-scores with a mean of 50 and standard deviation of 10 in the general population, where higher scores indicate better physical function.

Functional mobility test measuring the time in seconds for a patient to rise from a chair, walk 3 meters, turn, walk back, and sit down. Administered by physical therapy prior to hospital discharge

Hip range of motion measured in degrees at postoperative follow-up visits by the treating surgeon or clinical staff.

Total distance walked in feet or meters recorded by physical therapy during inpatient physical therapy sessions following surgery.

Occurrence of superficial or deep surgical site infection at the operative site following primary total hip arthroplasty, identified during clinical follow-up visits or by chart review.

Occurrence of acute periprosthetic joint infection following primary total hip arthroplasty, identified during clinical follow-up visits or by chart review per standard clinical criteria.

Occurrence of wound dehiscence at the surgical site following primary total hip arthroplasty, identified during clinical follow-up visits or by chart review.

Patient-reported outcome measure assessing the degree to which pain interferes with daily activities and social participation. Administered via the PROMIS Pain Interference item bank at scheduled postoperative follow-up visits. Scores are reported as T-scores with a mean of 50 and standard deviation of 10 in the general population, where higher scores indicate greater pain interference.

Patient-reported outcome measure assessing depressive symptoms including helplessness, hopelessness, and emotional exhaustion. Administered via the PROMIS Emotional Distress. Depression item bank at scheduled postoperative follow-up visits. Scores are reported as T-scores with a mean of 50 and standard deviation of 10 in the general population, where higher scores indicate greater emotional distress.