NCAP Medical, Inc. is pleased to announce that our Chief Medical Officer, Senthil Sadhasivam, MD, MBA, MPH, presented a scientific poster containing preliminary results from our ongoing NIH-funded total knee arthroplasty (TKA) outcome study, currently being conducted at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). The work was featured at the Military Health System Research Symposium (MHSRS) — the Department of Defense’s premier multidisciplinary research meeting dedicated to optimizing the health and performance of U.S. service members.
The event details can be found at the official MHSRS site:
https://mhsrs.health.mil/
Background and Study Rationale
Total knee arthroplasty remains one of the most common and clinically impactful but painful orthopedic procedures performed worldwide. Despite steady surgical advances, significant postoperative pain and variability in pain relief persists in postoperative pain trajectories, functional recovery, rehabilitation adherence, and opioid exposure patterns.
The present study—supported by the National Institutes of Health Health and National Institute of Drug Abuse—aims to characterize postoperative pain and opioid outcomes in a controlled framework, with an emphasis on:
Early pain relief
Opioid reduction
Duration of post operative hospital stay
Functional recovery trajectories
- Opioid-sparing recovery pathways
This dataset is being developed to inform non-pharmacologic adjuncts, precision-guided recovery protocols, and future interventional research.
Study Design Overview
The UPMC clinical investigator team is executing a prospective, randomized clinical trial involving patients undergoing unilateral primary TKA and comparing NeuroCuple versus sham/placebo patch applied postoperatively. Key data streams include:
Daily pain intensity mapping (0–10 NRS)
Functional assessment metrics relevant to early mobility
Patterns of opioid consumption and timing
Duration of hospital stay
Wear-time, recovery trajectory, and symptom-response correlations
Stratification by demographic, psychosocial, and surgical variables
Advanced statistical analytic models compare the efficacy and safety of NeuroCuple® versus identical sham patch.
Note: Complete methods and statistical models will be presented in the full manuscript following study completion.
Preliminary Findings Presented at MHSRS
Although final analyses are ongoing, early aggregated findings suggest:
Consistent reductions in early postoperative pain scores in specific cohorts within the study.
Significantly Lower-than-expected opioid consumption trends compared to sham and historical controls.
Shorter hospital stay in NeuroCuple group.
- High compliance with NeuroCuple® postoperative protocols, supporting feasibility, easy clinical implementation and scalability.
The preliminary data signal several promising pathways for enhancing TKA recovery, particularly within populations where pain-management resilience and rapid functional return are priority outcomes (e.g., active adults and military beneficiaries).
Relevance to Military and Veteran Populations
TKA continues to increase among veterans and aging active-duty service members. Optimizing postoperative pain strategies—especially opioid-sparing, durable, and scalable approaches—is aligned with Defense Health Agency priorities.
By presenting at MHSRS, NCAP Medical and our academic collaborators contribute directly to:
Evidence-based postoperative pain relief and care models
Strategies that reduce opioid use, side effects and dependency risk
Insights relevant to readiness, mobility, and long-term quality of life
The symposium’s multidisciplinary format also enabled robust discussion with experts in orthopedics, pain science, rehabilitation medicine, and military health systems.
Next Steps
The research team is continuing to enroll participants and analyze the full dataset. Upcoming milestones include:
Completion of full statistical analysis
Preparation peer-reviewed journal manuscripts including an invited publication at Military Medicine journal
Follow-on larger multicenter clinical trials including all knee replacement patients for generalizability and scalability.
Knowledge-translation activities for smooth integration into clinical practice and reimbursement frameworks
As findings mature, NCAP Medical remains committed to advancing rigorous science that supports safer, more effective recovery for TKA patients globally—military and civilian.
About NCAP Medical
NCAP Medical is dedicated to advancing non-pharmacologic, neuro-modulatory medical technologies that support pain management, functional recovery, and improved patient outcomes. Our work is guided by evidence, multidisciplinary collaboration, and a commitment to scalable solutions that reduce dependence on medications and improve quality of life.