Freezing away pain: new procedure could replace opioids for broken ribs
NCT ID NCT05330611
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested a procedure called cryoneurolysis, which uses a device to freeze nerves near broken ribs to block pain. It involved 43 adults aged 18-64 with rib fractures who were not candidates for surgery. The goal was to see if this approach could lower pain scores and reduce the need for strong painkillers like opioids.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- cryoneurolysis (cold nerve block using Iovera device)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a non-surgical way to control rib fracture pain and reduce reliance on narcotics.
- What could go wrong
- This was a small, early study with only 43 participants. Results may not apply to everyone, and the procedure carries risks like nerve damage or incomplete pain relief.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Stanford Hospital and Clinics
Palo Alto, California, 94305, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can a simple patch replace opioids for broken ribs in seniors?
- Ultrasound-Guided epidurals: a missed opportunity?
- Pain relief showdown for broken ribs: IV lidocaine vs nerve block
- Rib fracture surgery: does age matter more than injury severity?
- New study aims to find best painkiller for broken ribs after surgery
- Nerve block may help rib fracture patients breathe easier