ID:16534 Prescription Opioids and Steroid Misuse Masking Underlying Infection of Spinal Hardware

Abstract

The use of opioids for benign rheumatological disorders has been limited by concerns about adverse events and potential misuse. There has been an increase in use of opioids seen over the years for nonmalignant rheumatologic diseases. Opioids are currently approved as complementary therapy in inflammatory joint and rheumatological conditions. Severe adverse events, including abnormal drug-seeking behavior, although relatively rare, have been documented in a number of cases. This specific case report highlights opioid misuse and is an example of a patient becoming obtunded from a constellation of adverse events because of opioid misuse and overdose.