A Winning Playbook for Pain: Tackle Surgery with Non-Opioid Therapies

February 07, 2025 at 01:00 AM EST

SPONSORED CONTENT -- (StatePoint) As an orthopedic and sports medicine surgeon and chairman at Inova Sports Medicine, Dr. Robin West is no stranger to sports-related injuries. She understands that developing an effective game plan to tackle post-surgical pain can mark the difference between a challenging or seamless recovery. However, it was her own experience with surgery after a cycling accident in 2016 that led her to rethink her approach to pain management.

During her procedure, Dr. West’s surgeon administered a non-opioid pain therapy, EXPAREL (bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension), as part of a multimodal pain management approach, which led to minimal pain and the ability to completely forgo the use of opioids during her recovery.

“It was a total game-changer for me to experience firsthand how effective pain management can provide an enhanced recovery process,” said Dr. West. “In my work with athletes, I recognize that recovery can’t wait, as my patients are eager to get back to their active lifestyles. Understanding that there are non-opioid therapies available that can effectively manage pain and allow for a quicker recovery encouraged me to modify my surgical protocols.”

Sending Opioids to the Sidelines

EXPAREL is a non-opioid pain relief shot given during surgery that lasts for the first few days after a procedure that can reduce – or even eliminate – the need for opioids. In recent years, healthcare professionals have recognized that opioids are often accompanied by negative side effects, such as nausea, dizziness or drowsiness, that can actually hinder the recovery process. The shift toward a multimodal approach, including non-opioid pain therapies like EXPAREL, has empowered surgeons to develop individualized pain management plans that meet the needs of their patients.

Dr. West’s refined approach to pain relief has been underscored by her patients’ experiences receiving EXPAREL. Brandon Chubb, a former NFL linebacker, co-founder of the Chubb Foundation, and player director of the NFL Players Association, underwent multiple knee surgeries throughout his athletic career. It wasn’t until Dr. West performed his revision ACL surgery in 2022 that he discovered the benefits of non-opioid pain therapies.

“The pain after my earlier surgeries was unbearable, and the opioids I was prescribed came with a slew of side effects that made my recovery more challenging,” Chubb said. “When Dr. West introduced me to EXPAREL during my last ACL procedure, it was a completely different experience. I had no pain, no need for prescription pain medication, and I was able to focus on physical therapy and my recovery goals almost immediately.”

“Managing pain effectively is more than a comfort measure, it’s a cornerstone of recovery,” added Dr. West. “Watching my patients like Brandon regain mobility and return to the activities they love more quickly – whether that’s playing a sport, walking their dog, or completing everyday activities more comfortably – is what fuels my commitment to educating patients and other healthcare providers about non-opioid pain therapies like EXPAREL.”

How to Champion Your Own Recovery

EXPAREL isn’t just for athletes facing sports-related injuries. It’s used in a wide range of surgeries, from C-sections to cosmetic procedures and wisdom tooth removal. Studies have shown that patients who receive EXPAREL often report improved pain relief and quicker returns to their daily activities.

“Among patients, parents and caregivers, I regularly hear concerns about the surgical process and what recovery may look like, which is why it’s so important for them to understand their options and have an open dialogue around pain relief with their healthcare provider,” said Dr. West. “I encourage all patients to champion their recovery by asking their doctor about the benefits of non-opioid pain therapies.”

For more information, visit EXPAREL.com.

This article is sponsored by Pacira BioSciences, Inc.

Indication

EXPAREL^® (bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension) is indicated to produce postsurgical local analgesia via infiltration in patients aged 6 years and older and regional analgesia in adults via an interscalene brachial plexus nerve block, sciatic nerve block in the popliteal fossa, and an adductor canal block. Safety and efficacy have not been established in other nerve blocks.

Important Safety Information

EXPAREL should not be used in obstetrical paracervical block anesthesia.

In studies in adults where EXPAREL was injected into a wound, the most common side effects were nausea, constipation, and vomiting.

In studies in adults where EXPAREL was injected near a nerve, the most common side effects were nausea, fever, headache, and constipation.

In the study where EXPAREL was given to children, the most common side effects were nausea, vomiting, constipation, low blood pressure, low number of red blood cells, muscle twitching, blurred vision, itching, and rapid heartbeat.

EXPAREL can cause a temporary loss of feeling and/or loss of muscle movement. How much and how long the loss of feeling and/or muscle movement depends on where and how much of EXPAREL was injected and may last for up to 5 days.

EXPAREL is not recommended to be used in patients younger than 6 years old for injection into the wound, for patients younger than 18 years old for injection near a nerve, and/or in pregnant women.

Tell your health care provider if you or your child has liver disease, since this may affect how the active ingredient (bupivacaine) in EXPAREL is eliminated from the body.

EXPAREL should not be injected into the spine, joints, or veins.

The active ingredient in EXPAREL can affect the nervous system and the cardiovascular system; may cause an allergic reaction; may cause damage if injected into the joints; and can cause a rare blood disorder.

Full Prescribing Information is available at www.EXPAREL.com/patient.

For more information, please visit www.EXPAREL.com/patient or call 1-855-793-9727.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

PP-EX-US-9832 1/25

Photo Credit: (c) Jacob Wackerhausen / iStock via Getty Images Plus

About Us

About Cabling Installation & Maintenance

Contact Cabling Installation & Maintenance

Editorial

Advertising and Sponsorship Sales

Subscriptions and Memberships

Feedback/Problems

A Winning Playbook for Pain: Tackle Surgery with Non-Opioid Therapies

More News