Clinicians
Support informed pain management decisions across orthopaedic care
Orthopaedic pain management requires practical, evidence-informed approaches that support recovery while reducing opioid-related risks. Explore clinician-focused resources, tools, and education to help guide patient conversations, treatment planning, and postoperative care.
Featured Resources
-
Guidance on optimizing modifiable risk factors before total joint arthroplasty to support safer surgery, recovery, and long-term outcomes.
-
An overview of regional anesthesia strategies for shoulder surgery, with emphasis on multimodal pain control, opioid reduction, and diaphragm-sparing nerve block approaches.
-
Strategies for perioperative pain management in patients being treated for opioid use disorder, including medication considerations, multimodal pain control, and coordinated care.
-
An overview of cannabinoid pharmacology, patterns of use among orthopaedic patients, and current evidence regarding their safety, efficacy, and potential role as an alternative or adjunct to opioid therapy.
Explore Pain Management Topics
Use these topic pathways to find relevant learning resources and practical content for common pain management challenges in orthopaedic care.
Continue Your Learning
Access CME opportunities related to pain management through the AAOS learning environment.
Tools and Downloads
-
AAOS Pain Alleviation Toolkit
A practical AAOS toolkit with strategies and resources to support opioid stewardship and pain management conversations.
-
Post-op Pain Rx Protocol
A practical postoperative pain protocol outlining medication options by expected pain severity and additional pain considerations.
-
Opioids and Immunosupression
A visual summary of opioid-related immune effects, infection risk, and potential mitigation strategies.
-
Nutrition for Orthopaedic Surgery
A short video on nutrition considerations that may support healing and recovery after orthopaedic surgery.
-
Physiology of Opioid Receptors
A visual overview of opioid receptor activity, system effects, adaptation over time, and clinical implications.
-
Pain Management and Opioids – A Patient Perspective
A webinar on multimodal pain management, opioid prescribing considerations, and evidence around alternative medicinal approaches for chronic pain.
Watch and Learn
Explore videos and recorded sessions that address pain management, patient conversations, and recovery support.
Sponsored Resources
Explore resources provided by our sponsoring partners. AAOS reviews these materials for relevance and appropriate placement. Inclusion does not represent endorsement of any product, service, or treatment approach.
Please help us improve by sharing your feedback below.
This Pain Management Resource Center made possible through the generous contributions of:
Disclaimer: AAOS does not endorse any treatments, procedures, products, or physicians referenced herein. This information is provided as an educational service and is not intended to serve as medical advice. Anyone seeking specific orthopaedic or pain management advice or assistance should consult his or her orthopaedic surgeon, or locate one in your area through the AAOS Find an Orthopaedist program.