Single Nerve-Freezing treatment could replace opioids for broken ribs
NCT ID NCT06069154
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.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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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
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Locations
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Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States
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Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States
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University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, California, 92037, United States
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University of Texas, Houston
Houston, Texas, 77054, United States
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Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
Bethesda, Maryland, 20814, United States