Opioid Crisis and Acute Pain Management After Foot and Ankle Surgery.

Opioid abuse has plagued the United States, with a resurgence since the early 2000s. Governmental agencies, pharmaceutical companies, patients, and physicians have all contributed to this crisis. Severe pain has been reported following foot and ankle surgery. There are current national guidelines for chronic opioid prescribing, but guidelines for acute pain have not been established. Prescribing fewer opioids, education on opioid risks, proper disposal of unused medication, and participating in prescription monitoring programs help reduce opioid abuse. Multimodal analgesia is paramount in managing pain while reducing opioid consumption after postoperative foot and ankle surgery.