18th Annual Student Research Conference
Human Potential and Performance
Comparison of Two Pain Control Protocols in Orthopedic Total Knee and Total Hip Arthroplasty
Hailey L. Lawyer
Dr. Michael Bird, Faculty Mentor
In major orthopedic procedures such as total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA), post-operative pain is unavoidable. Usually opiods with varying release systems combat this phenomenon. The objective of this study was to compare two pain control protocols. The hydrocodone protocol (HP) featured an immediate release drug (n=66) and the oxycodone protocol (OP) featured a sustained release drug (n=57). Data collection involved chart review of TKA and THA procedures performed one year prior to January 1, 2003 (HP) and one year after this date (OP). No significant differences were found between HP and OP in pain scores or number of doses. More morphine was taken in HP than OP. Total volume of oxycodone taken was greater than hydrocodone. The benefits of the more expensive OP were not overwhelming in this study. Therefore, this new protocol may not benefit patients in terms of cost, pain, or recovery.
Keywords: pain control, arthroplasty
Topic(s):Exercise Science
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 34-1
Location: VH 1000
Time: 2:15