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. 2014 Jun;38(6):1159-65.
doi: 10.1007/s00264-014-2298-x. Epub 2014 Feb 27.

Opioid use prior to total hip arthroplasty leads to worse clinical outcomes

Robert Pivec  1 , Kimona Issa, Qais Naziri, Bhaveen H Kapadia, Peter M Bonutti, Michael A Mont
Affiliations

Opioid use prior to total hip arthroplasty leads to worse clinical outcomes

Robert Pivec et al. Int Orthop. 2014 Jun.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) who had been using narcotic medications prior to surgery to those who had not used them.

Methods: Fifty-four patients (62 hips) who had required opioid analgesia for hip pain in the three months prior to THA were compared to a matched group of opioid-naïve patients. Narcotic consumption was converted to a standardized morphine equivalent dose and compared between both groups of patients during their hospital stay, after six weeks, and at final follow-up. Other outcome measures included clinical outcome scores and the proportion of patients remaining on narcotic pain medication at final follow-up.

Results: The narcotic group required significantly higher total daily opioid doses as inpatients had a longer hospital stay and a higher proportion of patients who remained on opioids at six weeks and at final follow-up. Of the patients who were taking opioids pre-operatively, 81 % were able to wean off opioids at final follow-up. At a mean post-operative follow-up of 58 months (range, 24-258 months), Harris hip scores were lower in the narcotic group, with a mean of 84 compared to 91 points in the matching group. However, in both cohorts, there were significant improvements in Harris hip scores compared to pre-operative outcomes.

Conclusions: Patients who use narcotics prior to total hip arthroplasty may be more likely to suffer from opioid-induced hyperalgesia after surgery and have worse clinical outcomes. When possible, efforts should be made to use other modes of analgesia or wean patients from their use prior to total hip arthroplasty.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Mean total morphine equivalent dose (MED) consumption in milligrams during hospital admission. P value for each post-operative day denoted above corresponding data point
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Proportion of patients requiring narcotics for pain control following primary total hip arthroplasty
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Distribution of mean post-operative Harris hip scores at final follow-up for the narcotic and non-narcotic group
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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