Could a simple IV drug replace needles for knee surgery pain?
NCT ID NCT04828083
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether giving lidocaine through an IV works as well as an ultrasound-guided nerve block for controlling pain after total knee replacement. 120 adults having knee surgery were randomly assigned to receive either IV lidocaine or a saline placebo (with the nerve block group getting the opposite). The main goal was to see if IV lidocaine could reduce the amount of opioids needed after surgery.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
lidocaine
What this could lead to
If IV lidocaine works as well as a nerve block, it could offer a simpler, needle-free option for managing pain after knee replacement surgery.
What could go wrong
This is a small, completed Phase 4 trial with only 120 participants. The results may not apply to everyone, and IV lidocaine can have side effects like dizziness or heart issues.
Disclaimer
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the original study
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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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The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Rhode Island Hospital
Providence, Rhode Island, 02903, United States