How to Relieve Pain after Hip or Knee Surgery

The AAHKS patient website has another new article in its library that outlines simple ways to relieve hip and knee pain after total joint replacement surgery. In “How to Relieve Pain after Hip or Knee Surgery,” rest, ice, compression and elevation (RICE) is explained, and suggestions for medications that are not opioids are described. The article goes on to explain that if none of these methods of pain control are working, “then your surgeon might consider prescribing an opioid or narcotic medicine. Opioid medications are often necessary for the first few weeks after a joint replacement surgery. They are most commonly used before or after physical therapy and when trying to calm the pain during sleep.” The article was written by the AAHKS Patient and Public Relations Committee and peer-reviewed by the Evidence-Based Medicine Committee and AAHKS Task Force on Opioids. Read the article.