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Opioid Prescribing for Hand Surgery: A Medicare Part D Analysis.
Jason Zhang1, Hannah Soltani1, Puja Jagasia1
1Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
Hand (New York, N.Y.)
|April 7, 2026
Summary
Opioid prescriptions from hand surgeons decreased in duration but patient numbers fluctuated, indicating continued need for opioid stewardship. Hydrocodone was the most prescribed opioid.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Pain Management
- Public Health
Background:
- Opioid prescribing trends in hand surgery require characterization.
- Understanding changes in hand surgery opioid prescribing practices over the past decade is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize recent trends in opioid prescribing for hand surgery.
- To understand changes in hand surgery opioid prescribing practices over the past decade.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of Medicare Part D Prescribers database (2013-2022).
- Analysis of opioid prescriptions written by hand surgeons.
- Outcomes normalized per million Medicare Part D beneficiaries.
- Subgroup analyses by state and US census region.
Main Results:
- Over 1 million opioid prescriptions were identified, with hydrocodone being most common.
- Prescription rates varied by state (South Dakota, South Carolina highest) and region (Southern highest).
- Opioid prescriptions and mean days supplied decreased post-2016, but patient numbers fluctuated without significant long-term decline.
Conclusions:
- Hand surgeons prescribe a substantial volume of opioids.
- While prescription duration has decreased, the number of patients receiving opioids remains inconsistent.
- Ongoing opioid stewardship initiatives are essential to curb overprescribing in hand surgery.
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