Acupuncture for Low-Dose Opioid for TKA Replacement
Knee Osteoarthritis, Pain, Postoperative, Acupuncture
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Knee Osteoarthritis focused on measuring Acupuncture, Total Knee Replacement
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- ASA of 1 or 2
- Age 18-70
- Undergoing primary total knee replacement
- Desire to attempt a low opioid or opioid free pathway
Exclusion Criteria:
- NonEnglish speaking
- Patients with the inability to understand or follow study protocol
- Opioid use in the last 6 weeks or chronic pain patient
- Cannot receive neuraxial anesthesia and/or peripheral nerve block
- Patients with contraindications to intraop protocol (e.g., patient cannot take acetaminophen or ketorolac due to liver or kidney disease)
- Patients with implanted cardiac device such as a pacemaker or AICD
- Active ear infection
- Nonnative ear, previous scarring or surgical manipulation of ear
- Patients with gauges or other deforming ear piercing (small nondeforming ear piercings are ok) present in ears
- Allergy to nickel
Sites / Locations
- Hospital for Special Surgery
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Experimental
Postoperative Acupuncture
Neuraxial anesthesia (spinal or combined spinal epidural (CSE) with up to 4cc mepivacaine 1.5%) and 2 blocks for postoperative pain (IPACK and adductor canal peripheral nerve blocks). Sedation will be provided. Tranexemic acid (TXA) will be dosed per surgeon request. A certified medical acupuncturist will perform ipsilateral Auricular Trauma Protocol (ATP) acupuncture at eight ear points (Hypothalamus, Amygdala, Hippocampus, Prefrontal Cortex, Point Zero, Shen Men, Insula, Vagus) with 30Hz electrostimulation at two of those points (Shen Men and Hypothalamus). Acupuncture needles will be left in place and stimulated for 60 min and then removed. If an epidural is placed, it may be redosed with lidocaine as needed (up to 100mg total) and will be removed prior to transfer to the recovery room. A periarticular injection (PAI) will be placed by the surgeon during the surgery (timing at the discretion of the surgeon)