Comparing Opioid and Opioid-Free Pain Relief After Orthopedic Trauma Surgery A Randomized Study at University of Kansas Medical Center

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating pain outcomes in patients who have had surgery for various orthopedic fractures, comparing opioid-based pain management with opioid-free pain management. This randomized trial aims to understand differences in pain scores and other health factors up to six months after surgery. The study is conducted at a single center and includes adults who have undergone surgical treatment for specific fractures. Participants will be assigned to one of two groups based on the timing of their surgery. One group will receive standard pain treatment that may include opioids and other medications as decided by their medical team. The other group will receive pain management excluding opioids but may use other medications. Patients with kidney or liver problems initially assigned to the opioid-free group will switch to the opioid group for safety reasons. Both groups will follow the same surgical care protocols apart from pain management. During the study, participants will be monitored for pain levels using a numerical rating scale from surgery up to six months afterward. Researchers will also track medication use, surgical complications, and other health factors such as age, sex, and smoking status. Safety monitoring includes checks for blood clots and wound healing, with standard medical care continuing throughout the study.

Opioid-Free Pain Treatment in Trauma Patients