Intra-operative intra-articular analgesic cocktail for patella fracture fixation

Effects Of Intra-Operative Intra-Articular Cocktail Injection In Patella Open Reduction And Internal Fixation (ORIF): A Single Centre, Double Blinded, Randomised Control Trial

Phase 4 Interventional The University of Hong Kong · NCT07006168

This trial will test whether giving an intra-articular analgesic cocktail during patella fixation surgery reduces pain and helps people get moving sooner after surgery.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 4
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment56 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorThe University of Hong Kong Academic / other
Locations1 site (Hong Kong, Hong Kong)
Trial IDNCT07006168 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This single-center, double-blind, randomized controlled trial at Queen Mary Hospital compares patients who receive an intra-articular analgesic cocktail at the end of open reduction and internal fixation for patella fractures with those who do not. Participants are randomized 1:1 and both patients and outcome assessors are blinded to group allocation. Primary outcomes include postoperative pain relief and functional recovery; secondary outcomes include hospital length of stay and bed-stay related complications to estimate economic effects. The cocktail contains ketorolac, ropivacaine, triamcinolone, adrenaline and saline and is delivered intra-articularly after fixation.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults with an acute closed patella fracture who are scheduled for open reduction and internal fixation, can give consent, and were able to walk before the injury are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with open fractures, polytrauma, prior knee arthroplasty, chronic pain conditions, certain chronic illnesses (for example insulin-dependent diabetes, peptic ulcer disease, hepatitis B/C, or severe renal impairment), or those on strong opioids or immune-suppressing drugs were excluded and are unlikely to be eligible or benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the injection could lower early postoperative pain, improve early knee motion and shorten hospital stays.

How similar studies have performed: Similar peri-articular analgesic cocktail injections have reduced early postoperative pain and improved early motion in arthroplasty patients, though their use specifically after patella fracture fixation has been less studied.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* acute patella fracture requiring open reduction and internal fixation;
* able to consent to surgery;
* pre-morbid able to ambulate

Exclusion Criteria:

* open fracture;
* polytrauma;
* previous knee arthroplasty;
* history of chronic pain,
* insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, or peptic ulcer disease;
* chronic users of glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants, or immune-modulating agents, or of strong opioids (e.g.: morphine, fentanyl, hydromorphone, methadone, oxycodone, or meperidine);
* hepatitis B or C carrier;
* renal impairment (creatinine \[Cr\], \>200 mmol/L)

Where this trial is running

Hong Kong, Hong Kong

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 Patella FractureIntra-Articular analgesic injectionPain reliefOpen Reduction and Internal FixationFunctional RecoveryRehabilitationRange of motionPost-operative recovery
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.