Editorial Commentary: Rotator Cuff Repair Outcomes Are Influenced by Chronic Opioid Use

The creation of pain as the fifth vital sign in 2001 led to an unforeseen and dramatic increase in postoperative narcotic use. It became clear that chronic opioid use was associated with overdoses and deaths, and state medical licensing boards began to require completion of narcotic Continuing Medical Education courses to maintain licensure. Despite the overwhelming evidence of adverse effects of narcotic usage in both the pre- and postoperative periods, this continues to be a persistent problem in all areas of orthopaedic surgery.
Source: Arthroscopy - Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery - Category: Surgery Authors: Tags: Editorial Commentary Source Type: research