Tracking early pain and recovery after a limb amputation
Early Postoperative Pain and Functional Recovery Following a Limb Amputation: a Retrospective Observational Study.
This project will look at early post‑operative pain and functional recovery in adults who had a limb amputation to see how pain changes and what factors are linked to better or worse recovery.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 150 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Bologna) |
| Trial ID | NCT07393139 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a retrospective chart review of adults who underwent limb amputation at IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2025. Investigators will extract pain intensity, pain control measures, and functional recovery data from medical records and pain assessments. The study will describe the trajectory of early postoperative pain and recovery and perform exploratory analyses relating clinical, demographic, and therapeutic variables to primary outcomes. Patients with prior amputations, severe cognitive impairment, death or critical condition within 48 hours, or admissions for stump revision are excluded.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (≥18 years) who had a first-time limb amputation at IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli during the study period and who do not have severe cognitive impairment or immediate post-op mortality/critical illness are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with prior amputations, severe cognitive impairment or dementia, those who died or were critically ill within 48 hours, or those admitted for stump revision are unlikely to benefit from the study's findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help clinicians anticipate typical pain trajectories and tailor pain control and rehabilitation after amputation.
How similar studies have performed: Previous observational work has documented variable early post‑operative and phantom limb pain patterns, but comprehensive retrospective cohorts specifically focused on the immediate post‑operative trajectory remain limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients ≥ 18 years of age * Patients who underwent an amputation to any limb, regardless of location or diagnosis Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with severe cognitive impairment or diagnosed with dementia * Patients deceased or in critical conditions within 48 hours of the intervention * Previous amputation to any limb * Admission to the hospital because of a stump revision
Where this trial is running
Bologna
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli — Bologna, Italy (Recruiting)
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.