118: Non-Opioid Pain Management in Orthopedic Patients w/ Dr. Biggs

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Biggs to explore a powerful shift in orthopedic care, moving from traditional opioid-heavy pain management to a more effective, patient-centered, non-opioid approach.

From his journey into joint replacement surgery to building a thriving private practice, Dr. Biggs shares real-world insights on what it takes to evolve as a surgeon in today's changing healthcare landscape. The heart of this conversation looks into perioperative pain management and how a multimodal strategy is transforming patient recovery.

Goal of episode: To develop a baseline knowledge of non-opioid pain management in orthopedic patients.

Dr. H. Kurtis Biggs' interest in surgery was cultivated at an early age, being the son of a general surgeon. This exposure provided him a view into the world of orthopedics and joint replacement surgery that has continued to drive him to this day.

Dr. Biggs began his medical career performing joint replacements in private practice in Ohio, while also teaching at the orthopedic surgery residency program at Doctors Hospital of Stark County. His Ohio medical practice also served as a multicenter investigational studies site for developing new implants and procedures. He relocated to Florida in 2006 and founded the Joint Replacement Institute in Naples, Florida two years later.

Dr. Biggs performs 900+ joint replacement surgeries per year. He is a national leader in the development and use of cutting-edge surgical techniques, customized implant design, and post-operative patient care. He hosts surgeons from around the country who come to learn about direct anterior hip replacement, outpatient total joint replacement, and patient-specific knee replacement surgeries.

Direct anterior hip replacements are a passion of his. Dr. Biggs has successfully performed more than 6,000 of these minimally invasive procedures that involve skillfully maneuvering around muscles and tendons for less post-op pain and scarring as well as a faster recovery.

Since moving to Florida, Dr. Biggs, his wife, and six children have enjoyed becoming active members of the community and look forward to living in Naples for many years to come. The Biggs family enjoys many outdoor activities ranging from golf to motocross.

Education & Training

Medical School: Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens, Ohio (1996)

Residency: Orthopedic Surgery, Doctors Hospital of Stark County, Massillon, Ohio (2001)

Fellowship: Adult Reconstruction, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio (2002)

Board Certification

Orthopedic Surgery – American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery

Specialties

• Direct anterior total hip replacement

• Knee arthroscopy

• Outpatient joint replacement

• Partial knee replacement

• Total knee replacement

In this episode, we discuss:

• The evolution from high opioid use to minimal (and even zero) narcotics

• Practical, evidence-based techniques to reduce pain and swelling

• The role of cryotherapy, nerve blocks, and emerging non-opioid solutions

• How to improve patient experience while maintaining excellent outcomes

Whether you're a resident, early-career physician, or seasoned clinician, this episode offers actionable strategies to rethink pain management and elevate patient care.

Are you heading to AAOS 2026 in March? Stop by booth 830 and chat with the consultants at St. John Associates Physician Recruiting. Their orthopedic surgery team, one of the top national recruiting teams in the ortho market, has over 30 years of combined experience in the market and hundreds of matches in all ortho subspecialties. Their services are always free to job seeking physicians.

Stop by booth 830 at AAOS 2026 in New Orleans, March 3rd through the 5th or visit them at StJohnJobs.com/ortho.