The purpose of this study is to determine if Duloxetine provides effective pain management
for adult patients (18 or older) undergoing tibial plateau surgery. Participants from two
institutions will be randomized to one of two treatment groups: control (Group A) and
treatment (Group B). Group A control group will receive placebo of sugar pill and BMC
standard of care - namely postoperative, IV administration of opioids via a patient
controlled analgesia (PCA) system which utilizes a hydromorphone pump (BMC standard of care).
Group B, the intervention group, will receive three doses of 60 mg of oral duloxetine (right
before operation, postop day 1, postop day 2).
This study is important as tibial plateau surgery's postoperative pain management primarily
involved providing opioids, and if duloxetine can result in reduced narcotic intake and lower
pain scores, it can potentially improve patient care, rehabilitation, early movement, and
shorter length of hospital stay.