Examining the effect of ropivacaine concentration on pain after wrist surgery

Rebound Pain After Volar Plate Surgery in Infraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block With Ropivacaine 3.75 mg/ml Compared With 7.5 mg/ml. A Prospective, Parallelgroup, 2-arm, Triple Blinded Randomised Controlled Trial

Phase 4 Interventional Oslo University Hospital · NCT06950372

This study tests whether using different strengths of ropivacaine can help adults having wrist surgery feel less pain afterwards.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 4
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment80 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 80 Years
SexAll
SponsorOslo University Hospital Academic / other
Locations1 site (Oslo)
Trial IDNCT06950372 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial investigates the relationship between the concentration of ropivacaine, a local anesthetic, and the severity of postoperative pain in adults undergoing surgery for distal radius fractures. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either a low or high concentration of ropivacaine during a brachial plexus peripheral nerve block. The study aims to assess how these concentrations affect pain severity, duration, analgesic consumption, and patient satisfaction post-surgery. All other aspects of treatment will follow standard protocols at Oslo University Hospital.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 to 80 with a distal radius fracture scheduled for surgery within 20 days of injury.

Not a fit: Patients with existing long-term pain or those using opioids or psychotropic drugs prior to the fracture may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved pain management strategies for patients undergoing wrist surgery.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown varying success with local anesthetic concentrations, but this specific approach is novel in the context of distal radius fractures.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients with distal radius fracture, scheduled for volar plate surgery
* Surgery up to 20 days after fracture trauma
* 18 to 80 years old (inclusive)
* ASA 1, 2 or stable ASA 3
* Body Mass Index (BMI) 18 to 40 kg/m2 (inclusive)
* Weight of 50 kg or more
* Ability to communicate sufficiently in a scandinavian language
* Capable of giving a signed informed consent
* Ability and willingness to understand og be compliant to the study

Exclusion Criteria:

* Contemporaneous painful injuries
* Existing long-term pain
* Peripheral nerve damage in the arm with radius fracture
* Patients who prior to fracture trauma use opioids, psycothropic drugs or medication, with or without prescription, with significantly sedative effect on regular basis.
* Excessive use of alcohol (more than 15 units of alchol per week for men, more than 8 units of alchol per week for women, or patients reporting to be incapable of avoiding alcohol as long as they use strong opioids).
* Progressive neurologic disease (inclusive diabetic neuropathy).
* Skin infection at the site for brachial plexus nerve block
* Other contraindications for brachial plexus nerve block
* Contraindications for ropivacaine, paracetamol, etoricoxib, dexamehtasone or oxycodone
* Previous allergic reaction to local anaesthetics or etoricoxib, dexamethasone, oxycodone or paracetamol.
* Pregnant or breast-feeding women at surgery day (they do not get excluded if they become pregnant in the follow up period after intervention and surgery)

Where this trial is running

Oslo

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 Radius Fracture DistalRebound PainRebound painPeripheral nerve blockDistal radius fractureBrachial plexus blockRopivacaine
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.