Week-Long nerve block after amputation may stop phantom pain and slash opioid use
NCT ID NCT03461120
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether a continuous nerve block given for 7 days after a leg amputation can prevent phantom limb pain and improve physical and emotional function. About 200 adults scheduled for a lower-limb amputation will receive either a high-concentration numbing medicine or a low-concentration one for one day followed by saltwater. The goal is to see if the longer, denser block reduces pain and the need for opioids.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- bupivacaine or ropivacaine (local anesthetics)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a standard way to prevent chronic phantom limb pain and reduce reliance on opioids after amputation.
- What could go wrong
- This is a Phase 4 trial, so the drugs are already approved, but the specific 7-day block approach may not prove better than standard care. Results may not apply to all amputation types.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Boston VA
Boston, Massachusetts, 02130, United States
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Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States
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Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland, Ohio, 44195, United States
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Fairview Hospital
Cleveland, Ohio, 44111, United States
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Mass. General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States
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Naval Medical Center San Diego
San Diego, California, 92134, United States
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University California San Diego
San Diego, California, 92103, United States
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University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States