Reducing opioid use before knee surgery
Official title: Developing and Testing an Opioid Taper Intervention Before Total Knee Arthroplasty
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-10896978 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to help people reduce their use of opioids before they have knee surgery, which can lead to less pain and a smoother recovery afterward.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | August 5, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $161,111 |
| NIH project number | 5K23AR080224-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10896978 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients scheduled for total knee arthroplasty who are currently using opioids for pain management.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not using opioids or those who are not candidates for total knee arthroplasty may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a protocol to taper opioid use in patients before they undergo total knee arthroplasty, a common surgery for severe knee osteoarthritis. The study aims to create a structured approach to reduce opioid dependence, which can lead to better postoperative outcomes and less pain. By conducting a pilot randomized trial, the researchers will assess how feasible and effective this tapering intervention is for patients preparing for surgery. The goal is to improve recovery and rehabilitation experiences for these patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved pain management and recovery for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty.
How similar studies have gone: While some small retrospective studies have suggested benefits of opioid tapering before surgery, this research aims to provide high-quality prospective data, making it a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Riggs, Kevin — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Riggs, Kevin
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.