Single Nerve-Freezing treatment could replace opioids for broken ribs

NCT ID NCT06069154

ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION Symptom relief Sponsor: University of California, San Diego Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests a one-time nerve-freezing procedure called cryoneurolysis to treat pain from broken ribs. The treatment uses a small probe to freeze the nerves around the fractured ribs, providing pain relief for up to 2-3 months without the side effects or addiction risk of opioids. The trial involves 120 adults with rib fractures and compares the freezing procedure to a sham treatment to see if it reduces pain and opioid use.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: cryoneurolysis (nerve freezing using a device)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could provide months of pain relief from a single treatment, reducing the need for opioids and their side effects.
What could go wrong: This is an early-stage trial with only 120 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The procedure may not work as well as hoped, and nerve freezing carries a small risk of temporary numbness or weakness.

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.

bone fracture Rib Fractures

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

RIB FRACTURE RIB FRACTURE MULTIPLE

Contacts and locations

Locations

Brigham and Women's Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States
Massachusetts General Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States
University of California, San Diego

La Jolla, California, 92037, United States
University of Texas, Houston

Houston, Texas, 77054, United States
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

Bethesda, Maryland, 20814, United States

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