Q: Are there non-opioid pain control options for knee pain pre- or post-replacement?
A: Yes, there are options available to patients who would like to explore non-opioid pain relief, including Exparel, a medication, and Iovera, a treatment.
Exparel is the first and only single-dose local analgesic that can provide good pain relief for up to three days after surgery. Iovera is an FDA-approved device used to freeze sensory nerves around your knee. It provides immediate, long-lasting relief of acute (post-surgical) and chronic pain. Iovera can be administered on an outpatient basis as well.
When these options are used in combination, many patients require little to no pain meds, have decreased pain, less stiffness and improved physical function.
Dr. Matthew Bernard is an orthopedic surgeon at Southeastern Spine and a member of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society.
Contributed Photo / Dr. Matthew Bernard