Opioid use in relation to surgery is considered a factor contributing to the increased and prolonged use of opioids [1]. For many persons, first-time opioid exposure is related to a surgical intervention in which opioids are prescribed to alleviate postoperative pain [1]. Opioids may be necessary for strong postoperative pain but are associated with poorer postsurgical outcomes, a risk of serious adverse events and addiction [2, 3].

In the US, as many as 80% of patients undergoing common arthroscopic knee surgeries, such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction or meniscal surgery, receive opioids to manage postoperative pain [4] often in excessive amounts [5]. In Denmark, no national guidelines exist on postoperative pain management after arthroscopic knee surgical procedures, and the extent of opioid use following arthroscopic knee surgery is not well documented.

This study aimed to investigate short-term opioid dispensing in relation to the most common arthroscopic knee surgeries performed from 2006 to 2018 in Denmark.