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A new pain medication, Journavx (suzetrigine), may help cut opioid use after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). A retrospective study found that patients who received Journavx were more likely to be discharged without an opioid prescription, and 70% never filled one during the 30-day follow-up — a promising step toward opioid-free orthopedic recovery.
A new option in the fight against post-surgical opioid use
Surgeons may have a powerful new tool for reducing opioid dependence after knee replacement surgery. A retrospective study presented at the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons Annual Meeting found that patients who received Journavx (suzetrigine, by Vertex) as part of their multimodal pain management after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were significantly more likely to be discharged without an opioid prescription — in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
The findings suggest Journavx could meaningfully shift how orthopedic surgeons approach post-op pain, though experts caution it's not a standalone solution. "There is not one magic pill," noted lead researcher Dr. Vinod Dasa, who emphasized that opioid-free recovery requires a full team effort — from patient education to nursing and therapy staff buy-in.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: With opioid misuse remaining a major public health concern, a non-opioid analgesic that demonstrably reduces post-surgical opioid prescriptions could reshape pain management protocols across orthopedic surgery.
