Pain Control After Surgery for Traumatic Clavicle Fractures Using Nonopioid Versus Opioid Medications

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating pain control methods after open reduction and internal fixation ORIF surgery for traumatic clavicle fractures. This study compares a nonopioid pain control regimen to the standard opioid pain control regimen to determine how well each manages postoperative pain. The goal is to find effective pain relief options while reducing opioid use due to their side effects and the ongoing opioid epidemic. The study is a randomized, single-blinded clinical trial involving adult patients undergoing ORIF by specialized trauma surgeons. Participants will all receive ORIF surgery and be randomly assigned on the day of surgery to either a nonopioid or an opioid pain management group. Both groups receive a preoperative pain protocol including Celebrex, Lyrica, and Tramadol, and an intraoperative injection with epinephrine, ropivacaine, acetaminophen, and Toradol. Postoperative pain control in both groups includes scheduled Motrin, Lyrica, Tylenol, and Zanaflex, with detailed dosing schedules over the first four weeks. Patients with uncontrolled pain may receive a prescription for a limited number of oxycodone pills for breakthrough pain. Participants will have their pain scores recorded daily for the first two weeks after surgery and then weekly until their six-week postoperative clinic visit. Functional outcomes will be assessed before surgery and at follow-up visits up to one year. Additional monitoring includes recording the amount of oxycodone taken if prescribed. Patients can contact a 24-hour on-call resident for additional pain management. The total participation includes surgery, medication regimens, pain and function assessments, and follow-up over several months.

Nonopioid Pain Control Regimen After Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Traumatic Fractures