Ethyl chloride spray to ease pain from limb corticosteroid injections
Does "Freeze Spray" Work? Evaluating the Efficacy of Ethyl Chloride Usage Prior to Orthopaedic Injections
This trial will see if spraying ethyl chloride or cold saline on the skin reduces pain and anxiety for adults getting their first corticosteroid injection in an arm or leg.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 300 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Chicago Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Chicago, Illinois) |
| Trial ID | NCT06651788 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This interventional trial compares ethyl chloride freeze spray to a cold saline spray applied immediately before corticosteroid injections for upper or lower extremity soft tissue and joint conditions. Adults receiving their first corticosteroid injection will receive one of the topical sprays and then undergo the injection per routine clinical technique. Investigators will measure procedural pain and patient-reported anxiety/discomfort using standardized scales to compare immediate effects between the two sprays. The study aims to provide clearer, controlled evidence about the efficacy and safety of freeze spray use in orthopaedic injections.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (18+) receiving their first corticosteroid injection in an upper or lower extremity for conditions such as osteoarthritis, tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, or de Quervain's tenosynovitis.
Not a fit: Patients with prior injection experiences are excluded and people receiving injections outside the limbs or needing deeper anesthesia may not gain benefit from a superficial freeze spray.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients may experience less pain and anxiety during corticosteroid injections, improving comfort and willingness to undergo needed injections.
How similar studies have performed: A prior randomized study in hand surgery of about 150 subjects using non-standardized outcomes showed no clear difference, so existing evidence is limited and mixed.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 18 years and older * Receiving a corticosteroid injection in an upper or lower extremity (to include soft tissue and joint injections) for the first time Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with previous injection experiences
Where this trial is running
Chicago, Illinois
- University of Chicago — Chicago, Illinois, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Jennifer M Wolf, MD, PhD
- Email: jwolf@bsd.uchicago.edu
- Phone: 773-834-3531
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.