How orthopedic surgeons can impact opioid use and dependence in shoulder arthroplasty

Considering that the United States is facing a crisis with opioid misuse and orthopedists are the third largest provider of these prescriptions, it is important to delineate risk factors associated with use and dependence. Our purpose was to identify risk factors for and patient characteristics of increased opioid use and postoperative opioid dependence in total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) patients.

This was a retrospective study of 752 TSA patients who underwent surgery in 1 health care system from 2012-2016. Recorded variables included demographics and opioid prescriptions from prescription drug monitoring programs. Preoperative and postoperative opioid dependence was defined as continuous opioid prescriptions for at least 3 months prior to or after surgery. Statistical analyses and odds ratio analyses were performed.

Of the 752 patients in total, 241 (32%) became or remained postoperatively dependent whereas 68% (511) were able to wean off of opioids by 3 months. In the preoperatively dependent cohort, only 27% were able to wean off opioids at 1 month and 53%, by 3 months postoperatively. Odds ratio calculations showed that patients with preoperative opioid use had a 3.52 (95% confidence interval, 2.433-5.089) times increased risk of postoperative dependence compared with opioid-naive patients. Of those receiving postoperative opioid refills, 69% were provided these refills by their orthopedic surgeons.

Although the majority of TSA patients weaned off of opioids after surgery, our results demonstrate a 3.5 times higher risk of postoperative dependence in patients who used preoperative opioids. Orthopedists were major contributors to continued postoperative opioid use, and increased efforts to minimize opioid prescriptions before, during, and after TSA may help curtail overuse and dependence. These results highlight the hazard that preoperative opioid use entails for shoulder arthritis patients.