Comparing pain management methods for hip surgery in children with cerebral palsy

Peri-operative Use of a Pain Injection Versus Epidural in Pediatric Patients With Cerebral Palsy

Phase 4 Interventional University of California, Los Angeles · NCT06189781

This study is testing whether local anesthetic injections can help manage pain better than traditional epidural anesthesia for children with cerebral palsy after hip surgery.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 4
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment90 (estimated)
AgesN/A to 18 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of California, Los Angeles Academic / other
Locations4 sites (Los Angeles, California and 3 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06189781 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial investigates the effectiveness of local anesthetic injections versus traditional epidural anesthesia for managing postoperative pain in pediatric patients with cerebral palsy undergoing hip surgery. The study aims to address the challenges of pain management in this population, who often have difficulty communicating their pain needs. By utilizing local anesthetics, the trial seeks to minimize the side effects associated with opioid medications and improve recovery outcomes. The research will evaluate pain levels, opioid consumption, and overall recovery in participants receiving either treatment.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are pediatric patients under 18 years old diagnosed with cerebral palsy or similar neuromuscular diseases who are scheduled for hip surgery.

Not a fit: Patients who are currently using opioids preoperatively or have a history of allergic reactions to the pain injection components may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved pain management strategies for children with cerebral palsy, enhancing their recovery and quality of life post-surgery.

How similar studies have performed: While there is robust evidence supporting local anesthetic injections in adult populations, this approach in pediatric patients remains largely untested, making this study novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* under 18 years old
* diagnosis of cerebral palsy or similar neuromuscular disease
* undergoing uni- or bilateral proximal femoral osteotomy

Exclusion Criteria:

* ongoing preoperative opioid use
* history of allergic reaction to any component of the pain injection
* history of adverse reaction to epidural anesthesia

Where this trial is running

Los Angeles, California and 3 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Cerebral PalsyHip DysplasiaPain, Postoperative
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.