Preoperative opioid use is a risk factor for complication and increased healthcare utilization following revision total knee arthroplasty

Prior literature suggests that opioid use prior to primary arthroplasty procedures results in increased risk for complication. Despite this, it is unknown whether preoperative opioid use increases risk following revision TKA. The purpose of this study was to examine this relationship.

The Truven Marketscan® database was used to conduct this retrospective cohort study. Patients undergoing revision TKA for aseptic indication were identified. Opioid prescriptions were collected for one-year preoperatively. Patients were divided into cohorts based on the number of prescriptions received preoperatively. Patients who had an “opioid holiday” (six months opioid naïve period after prior use) were also analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to assess the relationship between preoperative opioids and postoperative complications.

In the year preceding surgery, 84% of patients received an opioid prescription. Compared to opioid naïve patients, continuous preoperative use was associated with higher odds of every examined complication (p ≤ .008). This included PJI (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.34–2.35, p < .001), VTE (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.26–1.93, p < .001), opioid overdose (OR 5.03, 95% CI 1.64–15.42, p = .005), and revision surgery (OR 1.80, 95%CI 1.50–2.16, p < .001). Similarly, health care utilization was higher in this group including the following: extended length of stay, non-home discharge, 90-day readmission, and emergency room visits (p ≤ .01). The opioid holiday appeared to confer risk reduction.

Preoperative opioid use preceding revision TKA is common and is associated with complications following surgery. An opioid holiday appears to provide risk reduction and suggests that opioid use may be a modifiable risk factor.