One shot vs. catheter: which controls pain better after leg fracture surgery?

NCT ID NCT07221019

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: George Washington University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether a single injection of a long-acting anesthetic (Exparel) can control pain as well as a catheter that delivers continuous anesthetic after leg fracture surgery. Ninety adults with closed leg fractures will receive either the single shot or the catheter before surgery, and their pain and opioid use will be tracked for 72 hours. The goal is to find a simpler, effective way to manage pain and reduce reliance on 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 (Exparel) and ropivacaine
What this could lead to: If Exparel works as well as catheters, it could simplify pain management after leg fracture surgery and reduce the need for opioid painkillers.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase study (90 people) comparing two existing approaches, so it may not show a clear advantage. Individual pain responses vary, and results may not apply to all patients.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

bone fracture Femoral Fractures

As listed by the trial registrant

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

FRACTURE FRACTURE DISLOCATION OF ANKLE JOINT FRACTURE FEMUR FRACTURE LEG FRACTURE LOWER LEG

Contacts and locations

Locations

The George Washington University Hospital
RECRUITING

Washington D.C., District of Columbia, 20037, United States

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