Chronic pain is a difficult but common problem in primary care. Patients are often desperate for any form of relief, and as a result, many are eventually started on opioid analgesics. This can be associated with many adverse effects. But is it worth it? A recent randomized trial compared opioid to non-opioid management of patients with chronic low back pain or chronic hip pain or knee pain due to osteoarthritis.
Guest: Alan Ehrlich, MD