Opioid-Free Pain Treatment for Trauma Patients

Peri-operative Opioid-free Analgesic Protocol for Orthopedic Trauma Patients

Not applicable Interventional University of Kansas Medical Center · NCT06078371

This study is testing whether pain management without opioids works better than traditional opioid pain relief for orthopedic patients recovering from certain types of fractures.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment250 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Kansas Medical Center Academic / other
Locations1 site (Kansas City, Kansas)
Trial IDNCT06078371 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial compares pain outcomes between opioid analgesia and opioid-free analgesia in post-operative orthopedic patients with specific types of fractures. It is a single-center randomized trial conducted at the University of Kansas Medical Center, utilizing block randomization for patient enrollment. Patients will be assigned to either a standard pain management protocol that includes opioids or an opioid-free protocol, with crossover for those with contraindications to NSAIDs or acetaminophen. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of pain management strategies in improving patient outcomes.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults over 18 who have undergone surgical treatment for specific types of femoral fractures at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

Not a fit: Patients with chronic opioid use, those under 18, or individuals with certain medical conditions like CKD or cirrhosis may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a safer pain management alternative for trauma patients, reducing reliance on opioids.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with opioid-free pain management approaches, indicating potential for success in this trial.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patient is over the age of 18 years old
* Underwent surgical treatment for the injuries of interest (stated elsewhere) by an Orthopedic Traumatology Attending Physician at the University of Kansas Hospital

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients that are unable to provide informed consent due to sustaining a head injury or incoherence from narcotics given to them post-injury
* Chronic opioid use
* Under the age of 18 years old
* Undergoing revision surgery
* Did not undergo surgical fixation
* Pregnant/nursing women
* Vulnerable populations as defined by the University of Kansas Medical Center IRB
* Did not experience one of the following fractures listed in D.1. above.
* Patients with CKD and/or cirrhosis will be excluded from the opioid-free pain block (block 2) and will only qualify for the standard of care opioid group (Block 1)

Where this trial is running

Kansas City, Kansas

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 Femoral Neck FracturesIntertrochanteric FracturesFemoral Shaft FractureDistal Femur FracturePatella FractureTibial Shaft Fracture with or Without Associated Fibula FractureAnkle FractureTibial Pilon Fracture
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.