Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 5, 2025

Use of the Operant Orofacial Pain Assessment Device OPAD to Measure Changes in Nociceptive Behavior
Published on: June 10, 2013
Patterns in Opioid Prescription for Patients Operatively Treated for Ankle Fractures Following Implementation of 2017
Georgina Glogovac1, Jamal Fitts1, Jordan Henning1
1Department of Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
Background:
The purpose of this study was to report patterns of opioid prescription for patients treated operatively for ankle fractures after implementation of the 2017 Ohio Opioid Prescriber Law in comparison to the previous year.
Methods:
A total of 144 patients operatively treated for isolated ankle fractures during two 6-month periods, January 2017 to July 2017 (pre-law) and January 2018 to July 2018 (post-law), were retrospectively identified. Preoperative and postoperative patient narcotic use was reviewed using a legal prescriber database. Total number of prescriptions, quantity of pills, and morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) per patient prescribed during the 90-day postoperative period were compared between those treated before and those treated after implementation of the Ohio prescriber law.
Results:
The average number of opioid prescriptions prescribed per patient in the 90-day postoperative period was 2.3 in the pre-law group and 2.1 in the post-law group (P = .625). The average MMEs prescribed per patient dropped from 942.4 MME pre-law to 700.5 MME post-law (P = .295). Differences in the average number of pills per prescription pre- and post-law (49.7 vs 36.2) and average MME per prescription (382.1 mg vs 275.2 mg) were statistically significant (P < .001 and P = .016, respectively).
Conclusion:
Following the implementation of the 2017 Ohio Opioid Prescriber Law, there was a downward trend in the number of pills per prescription and MMEs per prescription in patients operatively treated for isolated ankle fractures. The presence of a downward trend in the quantity of opioids prescribed in this patient cohort suggests the effectiveness of the state law.
Level Of Evidence:
Level III, comparative study.
Related Concept Videos
Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids
Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners
Prescription, Nonprescription and Orphan Drugs
The misuse and addiction to prescription drugs is a growing problem that can affect people of all age groups, specifically teenagers. This can happen when prescription medications are used in ways not intended by the prescriber, such as taking someone else's prescription or using medication for...
Analgesia and Pain Management
Opioid Receptors: Overview
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Opioids as Antidiarrheal Agents
Opioids, widely used antidiarrheal agents, mitigate diarrhea by slowing down...

