Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2025

Treatment with Locking Intramedullary Nailing for Intertrochanteric Fracture of the Femur Utilizing a New Awl with a Distal Positioner
Published on: June 6, 2025
The characteristics of opioid use in patients with proximal humerus fractures
Lucy E Meyer1, Jeffrey A O'Donnell2, Richard M Danilkowicz2
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, 311 Trent Dr, Durham, NC, USA. lucy.meyer@duke.edu.
Background:
Orthopaedic surgeons prescribe more opioid narcotics than any other surgical specialty. Proximal humerus fractures (PHF) often occur in the high-risk elderly population. The opioid epidemic has led to public policy aimed at reductions in opioid prescription. This study aimed to evaluate the impact that new legislation has had on opioid prescription patterns in patients who sustained proximal humerus fractures.
Methods:
A retrospective review of all patients who sustained PHF at a single academic institution from 1/1/2015-12/31/2019 was performed. A total of 762 proximal humerus fractures were identified and final analysis included 383 patients. Collected data included basic demographics and opioid prescriptions obtained through review of the electronic medical record. The North Carolina Strengthen Opioid Misuse Prevention act legislation that went into effect on July 1, 2017.
Results:
There was no difference in the number of pre- or postoperative opioid prescriptions provided with the new legislation. Our data showed a significant reduction in MeQs prescribed preoperatively pre-STOP act (188.1 MeQs) and post-STOP act (99.4 MeQs). There was also a significant difference in the amount of postoperative narcotics prescribed in the pre-STOP (972.6 MeQs) and post-STOP act (508.6 MeQs) groups (p < 0.01).
Conclusions:
With the enactment of the STOP act in North Carolina, we have seen a significant reduction in the amount of narcotic prescribed after sustaining a proximal humerus fracture preoperatively and postoperatively. This data demonstrates the impact that implementation of state-wide regulatory changes in opioid prescribing policy has had for a common orthopedic condition.
More Related Videos
09:51The Transition to an Anterior-Based Muscle Sparing Approach Improves Early Postoperative Function but is Associated with a Learning Curve
Published on: September 7, 2022
06:59Fracture Apparatus Design and Protocol Optimization for Closed-stabilized Fractures in Rodents
Published on: August 14, 2018
Related Concept Videos
Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids
Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners
Analgesia and Pain Management
Bones of the Upper Limb: Humerus
Bones of the Upper Limb: Ulna
Opioid Receptors: Overview