Study Shows Using Opioids Can Worsen Knee Arthritis

Do you have chronic knee pain? About 25 percent of American adults have arthritis, and 15 million report they experience severe joint pain. Some physicians prescribe prescription opioids to manage the pain of arthritis, but new research suggests opioids may do more harm than good.

A new study published in Arthritis Research and Therapy found opioids don’t significantly reduce pain and disability associated with knee osteoarthritis. Instead, opioids can cause unwanted side effects such as dizziness, nausea, constipation, sleepiness and addiction.

Jannis Bodden, MD, of the University of California, San Francisco, conducted a four-year study on patients with knee osteoarthritis. Bodden and her colleagues found that compared to non-opioid users, opioid users showed:

• More structural degeneration of the knee
• Faster progression of arthritis
• Worse quality of life
• Higher mortality rate

“Despite the use of opioids, baseline symptom and pain control were worse in opioid users compared to controls,” noted Bodden and colleagues. “Loss of [quality of life] was more rapid in opioid users, when adjusted for baseline pain scores, further questioning long-term opioid use, particularly in view of major adverse effects associated with this medication.”

Ways to Manage Chronic Arthritis

The most effective pain management should be flexible and have several options that do not involve prescription or over-the-counter medication. These may include:

• Physical therapy
• Exercise therapy
• Weight loss
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Acetaminophen, ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Find a Local Orthopedist to Manage Your Knee Pain

Do you have an orthopedist who is helping you manage your knee pain or joint pain? Click here to find an orthopedic center near you, and make an appointment today with one of our specialists. Our board-certified orthopedists can create a treatment plan to help you manage your pain and discuss options like knee surgery, if necessary.