Pain Management for Orthopedic Patients; Closing the Gap

Total joint replacement (TJR) is one of the most commonly performed and painful surgeries in the United States. Over the past few decades, regulatory changes increased the use of oral narcotics as a first-line treatment of this population. In the current opioid crisis, new pain management techniques and therapies have emerged. Research of current therapies, their effectiveness, and emerging best practices are discussed. Clear, thoughtful, and thorough education is an essential next step for closing the gap of the pain experience. Specifically, education of the frontline nurses, patients, and their caregivers on pain reduction techniques is essential.