of research behind the protocol
Dr. Wickline's protocol has grown from practice to peer review.
The story behind the movement
A surgeon who believed
opioid-free recovery was possible
— before anyone else did.
Where it begins
Dr. Andrew Wickline saw what was happening in orthopedic surgery — and decided to change it.
As a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with more than 24 years of experience in total hip and knee replacement, Dr. Wickline watched the same pattern repeat across practices nationwide — surgeons prescribing opioids by default, patients leaving with more pills than they needed, and too many of them never finding their way back.
He spent a decade building the clinical proof that a better way was possible. Then he got on a plane and started telling every surgeon who would listen.
It's the system, not the surgeon.
Post-operative opioid prescriptions after joint replacement can exceed 110 pills — far more than most patients ever use. The unused pills don't disappear. They stay in medicine cabinets, get shared, and fuel dependency long after recovery ends.1
He spent a decade building the clinical proof that a better way was possible. Then he got on a plane and started telling every surgeon who would listen.
How we got here
10 years of proof.
1 year of movement.
Early Research (2014–2020)
Dr. Wickline begins testing opioid-sparing protocols in his own practice. Results are dismissed by peers. He keeps going.
Presented at AAHKS (2022)
One of the most widely attended presentations at the conference. Early skepticism gives way to recognition from peers.
March 2 A Million launches (April 2025)
The nonprofit movement goes live. Dr. Wickline begins flying across the country to recruit surgeons to the cause.
58+ Surgeons Enrolled (2026)
A growing national network of practitioners committed to opioid-sparing recovery — now with technology support to scale the protocol nationwide.
Be part of the movement
Every surgeon enrolled.
Every patient counted.
Every story shared.
It takes one conversation to change the trajectory of a patient's recovery.
Join the March 2 A Million movement today.
References
- 1
Bridges TN, Lazaro JS, Clancy D, Ford E, Pontes M, McMillan S. Disparity Between Perceived and Actual Opioid Prescriptions by Orthopaedic Surgeons After Total Joint Arthroplasty. J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev. 2025 Feb 3;9(2):e24.00152. doi: 10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-24-00152. PMID: 39899747; PMCID: PMC11793258. View source
- 2
Stevenson M, Wickline A. 23-Hour TKA in 10 opioid pills or less through 90 days: A non-selected prospective consecutive one year cohort. J Orthop Exp Innov. 2020;1(2). doi: 10.60118/001c.13423. View source
- 3
American College of Rheumatology. Joint Replacement Surgery. View source