65 patients who were undergoing primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction were randomized to receive 9.5 mL of bupivacaine with 0.5 mL of 5 mg of methadone, 5 mg of morphine, or 0.5 mL saline solution. Over 7 days, there was no difference between the methadone group and the control group in pain scores or in the amount of inpatient and outpatient supplemental analgesia required. However, significantly less analgesia was needed in the morphine group than the control group. A 5 mg dose of methadone was, therefore, ineffective in reducing pain in patients who have undergone ACL reconstruction.