AAOS’s New Pain Management Resource Center Supports Safer, More Personalized Care

Orthopedic solutions in recent years have increasingly targeted safer, more personalized treatment approaches due to the tens of millions of Americans who live with acute and chronic pain.¹ Consequently, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has established a new Pain Management Resource Center—an online hub designed to help surgeons and patients make more informed decisions about pain care before, during, and after treatment.

Studies show that many patients still struggle to access effective, individualized care, underscoring the growing need for trusted resources that support better decision-making for both clinicians and patients. 

To help address these challenges, orthopedic surgeons must balance effective pain control with evolving patient expectations, ongoing opioid concerns, and a changing regulatory landscape. The new Resource Center brings together centralized access to practical tools, clinical guidance, and education tailored specifically to musculoskeletal care. 

“Orthopedic surgeons want to do what’s best for their patients, but pain management continues to evolve alongside new evidence and patient needs,” said Adam J. Bruggeman, M.D., FAOrthA, AAOS Pain Management Resource Center editor. “This resource brings together trusted, evidence-based information in one place, making it easier to access practical guidance that supports better care and safer outcomes.” 

The new online pain management resource supports decision-making across the full orthopedic care continuum by offering targeted resources for both clinicians and patients. 

For patients and caregivers, the Pain Management Resource Center offers: 

• Visual guides to help explain pain, recovery, and treatment options at a glance
• Tools to support conversations with care teams about medications, recovery plans, and next steps
• Practical information on nutrition, recovery strategies, and opioid safety 

For orthopedic surgeons and care teams, resources include: 

• Perioperative pain management strategies tailored to orthopedic procedures
• Topic-based pathways that guide clinicians to relevant learning and practical content for common pain management challenges
• Access to CME opportunities through the AAOS learning environment 

“Patient expectations are changing as new innovations and surgical techniques create outcomes few would have predicted even five years ago,” said Vinod Dasa, M.D., AAOS Pain Management Resource Center editor. “Having a centralized resource allows stakeholders to effectively find relevant and trusted information to guide their treatment journey.” 

By bringing these resources together in one location, AAOS aims to support more consistent, patient-centered approaches to pain management while helping clinicians stay current with emerging evidence and best practices. 

The Pain Management Resource Center was developed in partnership with founding partners Curonix LLC, Pacira BioSciences Inc., Vertex Pharmaceuticals, and Viatris. 

With more than 39,000 members, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons is the world’s largest medical association of musculoskeletal specialists. AAOS provides comprehensive education to help orthopedic surgeons and allied health professionals best treat patients daily. AAOS is the source of information on bone and joint conditions, treatments, and related musculoskeletal healthcare issues; and it leads the healthcare discussion on advancing quality.

Reference
¹ https://www.vrtx.com/stories/state-pain-america/