Can Over-the-Counter painkillers replace opioids after knee surgery?

NCT ID NCT03858231

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: Sanford Health Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This study compares opioid (Norco) and non-opioid (ibuprofen and acetaminophen) pain medications in 148 adults undergoing knee arthroscopy. Participants take one tablet up to four times daily for seven days after surgery. The goal is to see if non-opioids provide similar pain relief and to understand how factors like gender and pre-surgery symptoms affect pain and medication use.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Norco (hydrocodone/acetaminophen), ibuprofen, and acetaminophen
What this could lead to: If successful, this could show that common non-opioid pain relievers are as effective as opioids for managing pain after knee arthroscopy, potentially reducing opioid use and addiction risks.
What could go wrong: This is a small, single-center Phase 4 trial, so results may not apply to all patients or surgeries. Pain is subjective, and individual responses may vary.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Knee Injuries opioid abuse Pain, Postoperative

As listed by the trial registrant

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

KNEE INJURIES OPIOID USE PAIN, POSTOPERATIVE

Contacts and locations

Locations

Sanford Health
RECRUITING

Fargo, North Dakota, 58122, United States

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