Opioid-Sparing Ketorolac Protocol for Pain Control After Meniscus Surgery .
An Opioid-Sparing Pain Protocol of Intravenous and Oral Ketorolac Reduces Opioid Consumption and Pain Levels After Arthroscopic Meniscus Surgery: A Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial.
Arthroscopy . 2025 Jun;41(6):1989-2001.e1.Forty-eight patients with meniscal pathology undergoing arthroscopic meniscus surgery were randomized to receive oxycodone-acetaminophen alone (n = 25) or a ketorolac protocol—30 mg IV intraoperatively plus 10 mg orally every 6 hours for 3 days, with rescue oxycodone-acetaminophen (n = 23). The primary outcomes were VAS pain and opioid consumption (converted to MMEs) during postoperative days (POD) 1–5. Secondary outcomes were Lysholm Knee Score (LKSS) and KOOS at 2 and 6 weeks. Outcomes were assessed thrice daily through POD5 and again at 2 and 6 weeks. Overall, the results revealed lower VAS and fewer MMEs with ketorolac during POD1–5; however, at 6 weeks the control group had higher KOOS and LKSS. There were no significant differences in adverse events. These findings suggest ketorolac can meaningfully reduce early pain and opioid use without increasing short-term harms, though later PROs favored standard care.
Unlock the Full ACE Report
You have access to 4 more FREE articles this month.
Click below to unlock and view this ACE Reports
Unlock Now
Critical appraisals of the latest, high-impact randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews in orthopaedics
Access to OrthoEvidence podcast content, including collaborations with the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, interviews with internationally recognized surgeons, and roundtable discussions on orthopaedic news and topics
Subscription to The Pulse, a twice-weekly evidence-based newsletter designed to help you make better clinical decisions
Exclusive access to original content articles, including in-house systematic reviews, and articles on health research methods and hot orthopaedic topics