PHILADELPHIA, PA — A recent study has found that a brief 5-minute preoperative video can slash opioid consumption by 30% in the week following knee replacement surgery. This innovative approach not only reduces opioid use without increasing pain but also offers a cost-effective solution to the opioid crisis.
The study, titled “The Efficacy of Preoperative Video-Based Opioid Counseling on Postoperative Opioid Consumption After Total Knee Arthroplasty,” focused on the impact of a pre-recorded message. The video educated patients about the risks and benefits of opioids and introduced alternative pain management strategies for after surgery.
Key findings revealed that patients who watched the 5-minute video used 30% fewer opioids in the first week post-surgery compared to those who did not. Importantly, these patients did not report an increase in pain. This suggests that brief, accessible video education can play a vital role in managing postoperative pain and reducing opioid dependency.
“This finding suggests that there is a role for video-based patient education in the perioperative period to decrease opioid overconsumption and misuse in the future,” said Dr. Asif Ilyas, a co-author of the study. Dr. Ilyas is the President of The Rothman Institute Foundation for Opioid Research and Education in Philadelphia, a Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University, and an Associate Dean of Clinical Research at Drexel University College of Medicine.
The study was funded by the Rothman Opioid Foundation and included contributions from Arlene Maheu, Alexandra Hohmann, Nicholas Cozzarelli, Dr. Irfan Khan, Dr. William Hozack, and Dr. Jess Lonner, all members of the Department of Adult Reconstruction at Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, Thomas Jefferson University. The findings were published in The Journal of Arthroplasty.
The researchers highlight that this simple yet effective method could be applied across various surgical procedures, potentially transforming patient care and pain management practices. The study underscores the importance of patient education in combating the ongoing opioid crisis.
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