Opioid Requirements Post Discharge of Patients Having Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA)

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) may result in significant postoperative pain. The majority of these patients are prescribed opioids for the management of postoperative pain. Recent evidence has highlighted that postoperative opioids are being over-prescribed resulting in opioid misuse and abuse. Over-prescribing also results in a significant financial cost. This prospective observational study was designed to determine the mean amount of opioid required after TKA. This data can be used in the future as a guide to change our current practice of prescribing with the aim to reduce over-prescription.