Persistent opioid abuse presents a common yet under-recognized problem given the decreasing
rates of morbidity and mortality following common elective surgical procedures, like total
joint arthroplasty (TJA). Each year around 33-70% of patients seeking surgical procedures in
the U.S. transition to persistent opioid use following elective surgery (such as TJA),
primarily prescribed for post-operative pain management. Further, these patients are more
likely to demand greater doses and for longer duration post-surgery due to maladaptive
neurologic changes occurring in key areas of the brain. The purpose of this study is to see
if it is feasible to use OLP (open label placebo) for post-operative pain management in the
post TJA setting. In addition the investigators will also collect pilot data to compare key
outcome measures (patient reported physical function related to osteoarthritis of the hip and
knee, pain score, and health-related quality of life will be assessed) between the placebo
and the Treatment-As-Usual (TAU) group over a 90-day post-operative period.