Nerve block may ease broken rib pain in emergency care

NCT ID NCT07494851

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether a nerve block called an erector spinae plane (ESP) block is practical to use in trauma patients with broken ribs. It included 27 adults with rib fractures and moderate to severe pain. The goal was to see if a larger trial is possible, not to prove the block works.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: ESP block (nerve block procedure)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could lead to a larger trial testing whether ESP blocks provide better pain relief for rib fractures than standard care alone.
What could go wrong: This is a very small feasibility study (27 participants) focused on recruitment and retention, not on proving pain relief. The results may not apply to all trauma patients.

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 FRACTURES

Contacts and locations

Locations

Barts Health NHS Trust

London, United Kingdom
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Manchester, United Kingdom
Queens Medical Centre

Nottingham, United Kingdom

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