New injectable system for managing musculoskeletal pain
Official title: Novel injectable analgesic delivery system for musculoskeletal pain management
Funded at University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt · NIH-10657572 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new way to deliver long-lasting pain relief for people with conditions like osteoarthritis and lower back pain, using a special injection that combines local anesthetics with small amounts of anti-inflammatory medicine to help manage pain safely without opioids.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Farmington, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2019 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $360,258 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR075143-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10657572 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from acute flare-ups of musculoskeletal conditions, such as osteoarthritis or post-operative pain.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience musculoskeletal pain or those with chronic pain conditions not related to the targeted areas may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a novel injectable delivery system for long-acting anesthetics to manage acute flare-ups of musculoskeletal pain, such as that from osteoarthritis and lower back pain. The approach combines local anesthetics with low doses of anti-inflammatory agents to create a sustained release of pain relief medications. By using engineered carriers, the goal is to provide effective pain management without the risks associated with opioids. The study will evaluate various drug combinations to identify the most effective and safe options for patients experiencing severe pain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a non-addictive alternative for managing severe musculoskeletal pain, reducing reliance on opioids.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary studies have shown promise in using similar approaches with injectable formulations, indicating potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt
Farmington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nair, Lakshmi S — University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt
- Study coordinator: Nair, Lakshmi S
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.