Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Phase 3 Interventional Ages 18 and up

Relief from recent low back pain with a targeted muscle block in the spine

Official title: Anesthetic Block of the Erector Muscles of the Lumbar Spine to Relieve Acute Lumbar Pain: Pilot Study

Run by Elsan · NCT06511765 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A randomized, blinded test will see if a ropivacaine and dexamethasone block of the erector spinae muscles helps people with recent lumbago compared with a placebo during the first 4 days.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 3
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment40 (estimated)
SponsorElsan
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Saint-Herblain)
StatusRecruiting
StartedMarch 24, 2026
Main results expectedSeptember 4, 2026
Study endsOctober 31, 2026
Registry record updatedJune 10, 2026
Trial IDNCT06511765 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adults with lumbago lasting less than seven days despite standard analgesics and meeting specified pain and disability thresholds.

Probably not a fit

Patients with red flags, infection risk, bleeding disorders, or other conditions preventing block administration may not benefit.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This interventional study tests whether an anesthetic block of the erector spinae muscles reduces pain in patients with recent lumbago. It uses ropivacaine and dexamethasone versus saline in a double-blind, randomized design over the first four days of treatment. Participants must have pain scores above a threshold and meet other criteria, with exclusions for red flags and bleeding risk. The trial is led by Elsan at Santé Atlantique ELSAN in Saint-Herblain and aims to provide controlled evidence for a practice already used in some French centers.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, patients may experience faster pain relief and improved mobility in the first days after onset.

How similar studies have gone: Previous non-randomized use of this block exists, but this trial adds randomized, placebo-controlled data on efficacy.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patient with lumbago lasting less than 7 days despite analgesic / NSAID treatment.
2. Patient with NS pain \> 6
3. Patient with Oswestry score \> or equal to 30
4. Patient informed of the trial and having signed the informed consent form prior to any trial-specific procedure,
5. Patient willing and able to undergo all planned examinations and procedures in compliance with the clinical trial protocol,
6. Patient affiliated to a social security or any health insurance.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Presence of "red flag" (non-disc lumbago):

   * Motor deficit or signs of horsetail irritation
   * Inflammatory pain waking up in the 2nd half of the night
   * Tumoral context
   * Infectious context or fever
   * Altered general condition
   * Traumatic context
   * Osteoporotic context
2. Risk of infection
3. Patient with poor local skin condition
4. Patient on AVK or anti-Xa anticoagulation, or bleeding disorder (antiaggregants authorized)
5. Patients with hypersensitivity to Ropivacaine or any of its excipients: Sodium chloride, hydrochloric acid sodium hydroxide
6. Patient with sciatica
7. Patient with chronic respiratory insufficiency
8. Patient with cardiac rhythm disorders
9. Pregnant or breastfeeding woman or woman refusing effective contraception
10. Patient deprived of liberty or under legal protection (guardianship or curator)
11. Patient participating in another clinical research protocol involving a drug or medical device
12. Patient unable to follow the protocol, as judged by the investigator
13. Patient refusing to participate in the study

Where it's running

  • Santé Atlantique ELSAN
    Saint-Herblain, France
    Recruiting

Study contacts

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
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Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.