Understanding pain after surgery in children with cerebral palsy

Chronic Postsurgical Pain in Cerebral Palsy

Observational Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare · NCT05764681

This study looks at how children with cerebral palsy experience pain after orthopedic surgery and how it relates to their use of pain medication, to help predict who might have ongoing pain later on.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment500 (estimated)
Ages5 Years to 17 Years
SexAll
SponsorGillette Children's Specialty Healthcare Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Wilmington, Delaware and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05764681 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to document the pain experience and opioid use in children with cerebral palsy undergoing orthopedic surgery. It will identify predictive factors for chronic postsurgical pain and develop a risk index based on these factors. Participants will complete questionnaires and undergo sensory tests and gait analysis to assess their pain trajectory and functional outcomes post-surgery.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are children diagnosed with cerebral palsy who have a scheduled lower extremity or spine orthopedic surgery.

Not a fit: Patients who do not speak or read English may not benefit from this study due to exclusion criteria.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved pain management strategies and better outcomes for children with cerebral palsy after surgery.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown success in understanding pain trajectories in similar populations, indicating that this approach is promising.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* CP diagnosis
* Have a scheduled lower extremity or spine orthopedic surgery

Exclusion Criteria:

* Non-English speaking and reading parent/guardian

Where this trial is running

Wilmington, Delaware and 1 other locations

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 Cerebral PalsyChronic Post Surgical PainPainChronic PainPost Surgical PainOrthopedic Surgery
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.