Efficacy of Methylprednisolone for Pain Control After ACL Repair: A Randomized Controlled Trial
St. Louis University
Summary
Opioids are commonly used after orthopedic surgery for pain control but have been shown to increase complications, surgeries, readmissions, and risk for opioid use disorder. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of adding a methylprednisolone taper to the pain regimen after ACL repair surgery to determine if this results in decreased postoperative pain and opioid use without increasing complications.
Description
The study is to include consecutive patients who undergo ACL repair by fellowship trained surgeons at a single institution with minimum 12 week follow up. All patients between the ages of 13-50 who are willing and able to provide informed consent will be included. Patients will be assessed preoperatively and then at 2 weeks, 6 weeks,12 weeks, and 1 year clinic visits, which is standard of care. The patient will fill out 2 questions on the MyCap app the day of surgery and for 14 days following surgery for pain scores and 15 days for amount of opioid pills consumed the day prior. Patient demogra…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 13–50 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Patient undergoing ACL repair or ACL reconstruction with tendon autograft * Age 13-50 years old * Able to provide informed consent or parent/legal guardian is able for minors Exclusion Criteria: * Concurrent and significant injury to other bones or organs (Injury Severity Score of 4 or greater) * Revision ACL reconstruction * Concomitant additional ligament reconstruction or high tibial osteotomy * A history of alcohol abuse, substance abuse or chronic opioid use (filled opioid medication ×2 within 6 months of the surgery) * A history of renal failure (\<60 mL/min/1.73…
Interventions
- DrugMeloxicam 15 mg
PO once/day for 1 week
- DrugMedrol 4 MG Oral Tablet Includes Medrol Dosepak
PO 6 day taper
- DrugGabapentin 300 mg
PO every 8 hours for 1 week
- DrugHydrocodone 5Mg/Acetaminophen 325Mg Tab
PO 1-2 tabs every 4 hours as needed (total of 28 pills)
- DrugKetorolac 10 Mg Oral Tablet
PO every 6 hours for 5 days
Location
- Saint Louis UniversitySt Louis, Missouri