Fake pills, real relief? placebo study aims to cut opioid use after hip surgery

NCT ID NCT07373210

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: University of California, San Francisco Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether taking placebo pills alongside standard opioid painkillers can reduce pain and opioid use in adolescents and young adults after hip surgery. 64 participants will either receive the placebo plus usual care or usual care alone. The goal is to see if the placebo effect can help manage pain and lower 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: open-label placebo pills
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a way to reduce opioid use after surgery by harnessing the placebo effect, even when patients know the pills are fake.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage trial with only 64 participants, so results may not apply widely. The placebo effect is unpredictable and may not significantly reduce pain or opioid consumption.

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.

developmental dysplasia of the hip

As listed by the trial registrant

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

OPIATES PERIACETABULAR OSTEOTOMY

Contacts and locations

Locations

University of California San Francisco
RECRUITING

San Francisco, California, 94158, United States

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