Impact of Counseling and Education on Opioid Consumption After ACL Reconstruction

Plain-language summary

Research question: Does an opioid limiting pain management counseling and education program result in decreased opioid consumption and improved pain control compared to traditional pain management programs after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) surgery? At many institutions, the current standard of care is to instruct patients to take opioid pain medicine as needed when in severe pain to "stay ahead of the pain." This study is investigating whether modifying the instructions to take opioid pain medications only if in "unbearable pain" will have an effect on 1) reducing opioid consumption and 2) improving pain levels. Adults who are undergoing an ACLR surgery will be invited to participate in the study and be randomly assigned to one of the two pain management programs. All patients will receive a comprehensive multi-modality pain management treatments and medications. Patients in both groups will receive the same type and amount of all postoperative medications. The only difference will be in the instructions about when to take the opioid medications. The patients will then be sent an electronic survey twice per day for 2 weeks about their pain levels and number of opioid pills taken.

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Trial details