Randomized Study Comparing Regional Anesthesia, Long-Acting Local Anesthesia, and Standard Care for Pain Control in Surgery for Ankle Fractures

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness of a long-acting local anesthetic cocktail compared to regional nerve block and standard care for pain control in patients undergoing surgery to fix ankle fractures. This multicenter, randomized control trial aims to improve pain management, reduce opioid use, and assess the economic impact of these pain control methods in adults with specific types of ankle fractures. The study includes three groups one receiving standard post-operative pain control with oral narcotics, another receiving a single injection of a perioperative peripheral nerve block plus oral narcotics as needed, and the third receiving a subcutaneous injection of the local anesthetic cocktail plus oral narcotics as needed. The cocktail includes ropivicaine, clonidine, epinephrine, and saline, with the total dose adjusted based on incision size. Treatments are administered during surgery, and patients are followed for pain control and costs. Participants will undergo surgery for bimalleolar ankle fractures and then receive one of the three pain management strategies. Researchers will monitor the amount of oral narcotics taken during the first 72 hours after surgery as the primary outcome. Follow-up involves assessing pain control, patient satisfaction, and economic factors. The trial includes adults aged 18 to 89 years and excludes patients with certain fracture types, chronic opioid use, or other conditions that could affect results. Participation lasts through the post-operative period with regular assessments.

Randomized Controlled Trial for Ankle Fracture Pain Control