A large percentage of patients with knee, hip and spine osteoarthritis use opioids to manage their chronic pain, especially those who are younger or have symptoms of depression, according to new research findings. Osteoarthritis, or OA, is the most common joint disease affecting middle-aged and older people. It is characterized by progressive damage to the joint cartilage—the cushioning material at the end of long bones—and causes changes in the structures around the joint.

OA commonly affects the knees, hips, spine, hands and other joints. Use of prescription opioids for pain management is under scrutiny because of the potential risk of dependence, misuse and increased adverse events.

A group of researchers in Canada conducted a study of 1,204 pre-surgical patients with knee, hip and spine OA to examine the rates of prescription opioid use, as well as any association between opioid use and various socio-demographic and health status characteristics. The study found little if any clinically significant benefit of opioids for OA pain. In fact, there are growing concerns about the potential for misuse, dependency and increased adverse events, including opioid-related death.

If your pain is chronic, you should try to keep the chronic pain from becoming the entire focus of your life. Stay active and do not avoid activities simply because they cause pain. The amount and type of activity should be directed by a chiropractor, so that activities that might actually cause more harm are avoided. A chiropractor can work with you to alleviate some or all of your chronic pain.

Presented as a service to the community by: Union County Chiropractic Clinic, 110 Skyline Drive, Maynardville, TN (865) 992-7000 www.unioncountychiropractic.com