Can a new nerve block beat standard pain relief for shoulder surgery?
NCT ID NCT03691922
First seen Aug 10, 2026 · Last updated Aug 11, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial tests whether a newer nerve block, called the Erector Spinae Plane (ESP) block, provides better pain relief after arthroscopic shoulder surgery than the standard periarticular infiltration (PAI) of local anesthetic. Half of the participants will receive the ESP block before surgery, while the other half will get the standard infiltration. The study measures pain scores and opioid use in the recovery room and for the first 24 hours after surgery, aiming to find a technique that reduces pain with fewer side effects.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Erector Spinae Plane (ESP) block with bupivacaine and epinephrine, compared to periarticular infiltration (PAI) with the same anesthetic
- What this could lead to
- If the ESP block works better, it could offer a safer, more effective way to manage pain after shoulder surgery, reducing opioid use and side effects.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial, and the ESP block may not prove superior to the standard approach. There are also risks like nerve block complications or allergic reactions.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for ARTHROSCOPIC SHOULDER SURGERY are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
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
-
St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton
Hamilton, Ontario, L8N 4A6, Canada
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Shoulder block study checks for breathing side effects
- Shoulder surgery nerve block showdown: which one spares your diaphragm?
- New nerve block may ease shoulder pain without harming breathing
- New painkiller could cut opioid use after shoulder surgery
- New pain block study aims to improve shoulder surgery recovery
- New nerve block may reduce breathing side effects after shoulder surgery