How can one safely taper off pain medication after orthopaedic surgery? Tapering should always be done under the guidance of your physician. Your orthopedic surgeon can create a personalized tapering schedule based on the type and dose of medication you take and how long you have been taking it.
Managing pain after orthopedic surgery is an important part of your recovery. At Orthopaedic & Spine Center, we are committed to managing pain safely and effectively, and most patients are transitioned from opioid pain medication to over-the-counter pain relievers within 3 to 5 days.
However, for patients who may require more extensive or high-dose opioid therapy, or who have a history of opioid use, a gradual reduction in opioids over a period of time, also known as tapering, is a vital part of the healing process.
What are opioids and why are they used after orthopedic surgery?
Opioids are powerful prescription painkillers that come with some side effects, such as drowsiness, severe constipation, nausea and slowed breathing, as well as the risk of misuse and addiction. Common prescription opioids include oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine and tramadol.
Despite the side effects and risks, opioids are often the best option to treat moderate to severe short-term pain immediately after orthopedic surgery.
Why is opioid tapering necessary?
If you’ve taken opioids for less than 7 to 10 days, you should be able to simply stop these medicines as soon as you’ve finished the pills provided by your orthopedic surgeon. However, if you’ve taken opioids for more than 7 to 10 days, or you have a history of past opioid use, you may need to gradually taper off the medication to avoid opioid withdrawal.
What is opioid withdrawal?
When you stop or lessen the use of opioid medicine after taking it for an extended period of time, you may experience adverse side effects, including the following:
- Anxiety and restlessness
- Runny nose, watery eyes and frequent yawning
- Increased pain
- Body aches, chills or sweating
- Trouble sleeping
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
- Fast heartbeat
- High blood pressure
Tapering your use of opioids over time can help lessen withdrawal symptoms or keep you from having them.
What does safe opioid tapering involve?
Patients who may need tapering off their opioid medicine should always do so under the management of a physician. You should never stop or change your dose without consulting a healthcare provider.
How long it takes to taper off your medicine depends on the type and dose of the opioid you’ve been taking and how long you’ve been taking it. Your orthopedic surgeon will work with you to create an opioid taper schedule that meets your medical needs, while keeping risks to your health low.
A tapering schedule includes step-by-step instructions detailing how and when to take the medicine during your taper. Once you start the taper, it’s very important not to take a higher dose than prescribed, as you will have a lower tolerance to opioids, putting you at increased risk for overdose.
Post-Operative Pain Management with OSC
To help prevent the need for opioid tapering, the orthopedic surgeons at Orthopaedic & Spine Center in Newport News, VA take a multimodal analgesic approach to managing pain, meaning we carefully balance the use of opioid pain medications with non-opioid options to treat acute pain after orthopedic surgery. Opioids are used sparingly and are typically phased out within 3 to 5 days.
If you have concerns or questions about pain management following orthopedic surgery, call 757-596-1900 or use an online tool to request an appointment with our experienced and compassionate orthopedic surgeons in Newport News, VA.