Penn Medicine uses an innovative pain management system for joint replacement patients called the Multimodal Perioperative Pain Protocol (MP3).
What is the Multimodal Perioperative Pain Protocol (MP3)?
In its most simple form, MP3 is a pain management system that includes the use of different types of analgesic medications (painkillers) to ensure that patients experience as little pain as possible.
Our MP3 pain management process is a clinically-proven system which improves movement and reduces pain after surgery, while also limiting the risk of painkiller addiction during recovery. The MP3 pain management process delivers a personalized dose of painkillers and anesthesia before, during and after surgery which work together to provide the most effective pain control.
What is the benefit of the MP3 process?
By using a personalized doses of painkillers, patients benefits in multiple several ways: The combination of medications makes the treatment more efficient, which reduces pain more quickly. Also, patients are receiving smaller doses of specific painkillers, reducing the unpleasant side effects that some medications may cause.
“The work done together by the hip and knee arthroplasty and anesthesia teams has improved patient safety, patient satisfaction, mobilization, lower length of stay and a higher rate of discharge to home safely,” says Eric L. Hume, MD, Orthopaedic Surgeon and Associate Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery. “MP3, regional anesthesia and blocks have transformed our hospital care and beyond.
What type of medication is used in the MP3 process?
The MP3 process actually begins even before any medicine is administered: Before surgery, the surgical team maps out the pain management plan, taking into account the patient's medical history and any previous experiences with pain management, including any side effects or adverse conditions. By understanding the patient and knowing what has occurred in the past, the team can better plan to avoid any negative side effects.
Administering analgesia before surgery is integral. During the procedure, regional anesthesia (peripheral nerve blocks) is used. This has been demonstrated to reduce the patient's length of stay and to improve their function after surgery.
MP3 allows for a reduction in opioid usage after surgery, which also reduces the risk of side effects. Because our team maps out the pain management plan prior to surgery, patients have seen improved sleep and smoother recovery.
"The MP3 process is more than a prescription for pain medicine," says Nabil Elkassabany, MD. "It is, at its core, a patient-centered, evidence-based and collaborative effort between orthopedic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, physical therapists and other stakeholders involved in the care of patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty."
Are you suffering from joint pain?
Do you struggle to perform simple daily activities because of severe pain in your joints? Are you concerned that fixing or replacing your hip or knee will cause even more discomfort? If you're in chronic pain, you could be suffering from advanced joint disease. You shouldn't ignore pain because with the right treatment, you could be back to feeling better.
The Penn Musculoskeletal Center
The Penn Musculoskeletal Center is a team of doctors, nurses and physical therapists in the Philadelphia-area who take a whole-body approach to diagnosing and treating joint pain. These experts work together as a seamless unit to provide a wide range of treatments, not just surgery, and help you return to an active, pain-free lifestyle.