Orthopaedic Surgery Leading the Charge Against the Opioid Epidemic
More than 130 individuals die every day in the United States from an opioid overdose.
LSU Orthopedics is committed to ending the opioid epidemic through innovation, technology, and education. From teaching non-addictive pain relief strategies to the development of new clinical techniques that reduce and even eliminate the need for opioid pain relief, LSU Orthopaedic Vice-Chair and Director of Research Dr. Vinod Dasa is at the forefront of opiate-free surgery.
Dr. Dasa's patients have some of the lowest opioid usage rates, and the LSU Orthopaedic team prescribes the fewest number of opioids for knee replacements than any other group in Louisiana.
“Knee replacement surgery is traditionally one of the most painful surgeries, and the rehabilitation is painful, too. In the past, it was routine to prescribe opioids to deal with the pain,” said Dr. Dasa. “But now we are pioneering new ways to perform the surgery, and new treatment plans that alleviate the pain before the surgery which then impacts pain and recovery after the surgery.”
“We have reduced the recovery time of knee replacement surgery to just a few weeks. Approximately one-third of our patients are completely opioid and narcotic free after the surgery,” he added.