Delaney LD, Gunaseelan V, Rieck H, et al. - Via conducting a retrospective analysis of Medicare claims in Michigan, researchers explored the connection between surgeon prescribing and new persistent use among total hip arthroplasty (THA) individuals. The study cohort comprised of orthopedic surgeons performing THAs from 2013-2016, and their opioid naïve patients, ages > 65. High-risk prescribing involved: high regular doses, overlapping prescriptions for benzodiazepine, concurrent opioid prescriptions, multi-provider prescriptions, or long-acting opioid prescriptions. Surgeons showed high-risk prescribing for 66% of encounters. The development of persistent opioid use after surgery is multifactorial, and the prescribing patterns of the surgeon play an important role. Reducing prescribing and encouraging opioid alternatives may reduce the persistent use of postoperative opioids.