Preoperative and Postoperative Opiate Use by the Arthroplasty Patient

Opiates are frequently prescribed by providers other than the surgeon preoperatively and postoperatively. The use of opiates that were presumably prescribed to treat joint pain was continued for more than 1 year postoperatively in 64% of cases. Patients taking multiple opiates or more potent opiates preoperatively filled more prescriptions postoperatively. Chronic use of opiates negatively influenced the discharge disposition.