Overview
The American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons is an organization where one can learn all there is to know about hip and knee surgery, including arthritis, joint replacement, and the dangers of potential opioid dependence. You can visit the website to find their advocacy stances through action letters and health policy fellowships.
Resources
Take advantage of the numerous sources of education such as online courses, the Annual and Spring Meeting, and research initiatives currently underway. The AAHKS also has two publications: the Journal of Arthroplasty and Arthroplasty Today. Their website offers press releases with updates and advertising specs, as well as a job center.
Find a Doctor
The AAHKS offers a “Find a Doctor’ search engine on their website. Go to the page and search for a hip and knee doctor by first name and last name. You can also search by location, entering your city, state and zip code, or use both for a more specific search.
Opioids FAQ
Since many people are prescribed opioid pain medication after hip or knee surgery, the AAHKS provides a useful FAQ to help those who may be contemplating surgery or the use of opioids after. Some of the FAQs include:
- Should I be taking opioids for hip or knee arthritis pain? What are the risks?
- Can I take opioids for pain before my joint replacement surgery and then stop after surgery?
- I just had joint replacement surgery and was prescribed an opioid for pain. Can I take something else instead?
- Where should I store my opioid pain medication? And how do I get rid of leftover medication?
