Advanced Pain Management
As successful as joint replacement is in restoring patient function, it has traditionally been limited by the post-surgery pain in recovery. I have been driven to optimize patient outcomes by minimizing pain after surgery while also reducing medication side effects. I have had a particular interest in developing special protocols, and lecturing and teaching about them at national meetings and conferences.
Multimodal pain management is the use of many different medications in smaller doses, with the goal of providing even better pain relief, with fewer side effects. In particular, opioid reduction and its associated side effects is a key element of this multimodal technique. Advancements such as this have allowed me to reduce hospital length of stay and speed patient recovery and to even develop my outpatient joint replacement program. Partial knee replacement patients and anterior hip replacement patients often have minimal to no pain after surgery. Even my major revision hip and knee replacement patients have benefited from these techniques and are able to go home within one day of surgery.
I have found this area of interest to be rewarding to both me and my patients. I am often amazed at the rapid recovery and early return to activities achieved with these protocols. The opportunities to speak as faculty at meetings and collaborate with my colleagues from across the country in this space allows me to bring the most advanced techniques back to my patients. This is a constantly evolving process, and I remain dedicated to providing my patients optimal pain relief while minimizing side effects.
Long-lasting injection surgical technique video by Dr. Sah
Publications and Committees on Pain Management Advances
Sah Alexander, Liang K, Sclafani J. Optimal Multimodal Analgesia Protocols for Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Critical Review. JBJS Reviews, 2017
Sah Alexander, Warren L. Liposomal Bupivacaine: Market Penetration vs Scientific Evidence: Only the Facts. Techinques in Orthopaedics, 2017
Sah Alexander. Multimodal Pain Management in Knee Revision Surgery. Anesthesiology News/General Surgery News, June 2016
Sah Alexander, Bollinger A. The role of multimodal analgesia in Orthopedic surgery. 2015
Chair, Pain Management ASC Task Force, CA Orthopedic Association, 2017-19
Principal Investigator, Steering Committee, Exparel TKA Wound Infiltration RCT, 2016-7
