By Sarah Wickline Wallan
LAS VEGAS — Knee replacement patients spent fewer days in the hospital and had improved pain scores after new protocol eliminated motor nerve blocks and reduced opioid medication use, researchers reported here.
After introducing a “rapid recovery” protocol, total knee replacement patients spent an average of 1.5 fewer days in the hospital, reported pain scores 1.6 points lower on a standard 10-point scale, and 26% fewer transfers to skilled nursing facilities, compared with pre-protocol patients, according to Erik P. Severson, MD, of Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby, Minn., and colleagues. 
“Data demonstrates the positive impact and advantages of an easily translatable rapid recovery protocol using non-opioid medicines and motor sparing nerve blocks,” Severson said in a presentation at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
“Patients were able to discharge on day 1, pain scores were markedly better, and the overall healthcare costs can be diminished due to shorter length of hospitalization and less need for skilled nursing facilities,” Severson added.