Developing an Opioid Taper Intervention Before Total Joint Arthroplasty

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · Mar 15, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is focused on helping patients who are planning to have total knee or hip replacement surgery and are currently taking opioid medications for pain. The main goal is to see if a program led by a pharmacist can help these patients safely reduce their opioid use before their surgery. The researchers want to find out if patients find this program helpful and if it effectively lowers the amount of opioids they take in the weeks leading up to their operation.

To participate in this study, you need to be planning for a knee or hip replacement surgery in the next 4 to 8 weeks and have been taking a stable dose of oral opioids for at least three months. If eligible, you’ll meet with a pharmacist who will explain how to manage your pain and propose a schedule to gradually lower your opioid dose. The pharmacist will then check in with you by phone each week to see how you're doing and make any necessary adjustments. This support aims to ensure you feel comfortable and safe as you prepare for your surgery.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • decided to pursue primary, unilateral total knee or hip arthroplasty with planned surgery date in 4-8 weeks
• • currently taking between 20 and 90 MME of oral opioids, and that dose has been stable for at least 3 months
• • have a reliable telephone number for contact
• • speaks English
• Exclusion Criteria:
• * Taking opioid medications that include:
• • Buprenorphine
• • Methadone
• • Long-acting formulations of opioid pain medications (e.g., extended-release oxycodone and extended-release morphine)
• • Transdermal formations of opioid pain medications (e.g., fentanyl patches)