Vitamin C for Acute Musculoskeletal Pain in Emergency Department Patients A Triple-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial VICAMED

What this Trial Is About

Musculoskeletal MSK injuries like sprains, strains, bruises, and fractures often cause moderate to severe pain shortly after injury, leading many people to visit emergency departments. Common pain medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen may not be suitable for everyone due to health issues like heart, kidney, stomach, or liver problems, and some patients still experience significant pain despite treatment. This research investigates whether vitamin C, known for immune support and potential pain and inflammation reduction, can help adults with recent MSK injuries manage their pain better. Participants are adults aged 18 or older who visit the emergency department with an MSK injury within the previous 48 hours and report moderate pain. They are randomly assigned to receive either a 900 mg oral dose of vitamin C or a placebo, first given in the emergency department, followed by twice-daily capsules for three days. The study uses a triple-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled design and includes follow-up on day six to assess recovery, medication use, and overall experience. During the study, participants record their pain levels on a 0-100 scale using an electronic or paper diary over three days. Researchers monitor pain intensity, use of pain medications, time to pain relief, adverse events, quality of life, and healthcare visits through day six. The study aims to determine if vitamin C can provide a safe, accessible, and opioid-sparing option for managing acute MSK pain after emergency care, with total participation lasting about six days.

Effect of Vitamin C on Pain Reduction After an Emergency Department Visit