Herniated discs are common, particularly if you’re athletic or aging. Or both. Most of the time, a slipped disc heals on its own with physical therapy and medications. If it doesn’t, you may need surgery to fix the herniation and relieve the pain.
With the vast number of changes that have been occurring through healthcare, it is no surprise that hospital systems are trying to limit and cut costs on certain technologies and advancements that have made an impact in healthcare.
Like most Physicians, I have looked introspectively at the equipment and techniques I use to help my share of cost containment. The trick is to find which technologies and equipment can be used sparingly without compromising patient care. For me, patient care is on the highest priority list and if there is any treatment modality that could compromise patient care, it is quickly kept in the “keep” list.
To differentiate between “wants” and “needs” is difficult to do however there are some advancements that come along and make a huge impact in the lives and post-operative care of the patients we take care of.
Enter – Liposomal Bupivacaine. The article I just read in AAOS Now highlights the many benefits to using liposomal bupivacaine’s in total joint replacements.
Mechanism of Action – Liposomal Bupivacaine – works by slowly releasing local anesthetic into the tissue (primarily fat tissue) over a 48-72 hour period of time immediately following surgery. Positive benefits include reduced opioid consumption, decreased length of stay in the hospital, reductions in post-operative falls, and overall lower cost of care for our total joint patients.
Although using Liposomal Bupivacaine does have an increased cost (usually to the pharmacy), the overall benefits far outweigh the negatives.
Please see this article below for more information:
AAOS Now – April 2015 Terry Stanton – Liposomal Bupivacaine
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Herniated discs are common, particularly if you’re athletic or aging. Or both. Most of the time, a slipped disc heals on its own with physical therapy and medications. If it doesn’t, you may need surgery to fix the herniation and relieve the pain.
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