New study aims to cut opioid overprescription after hand surgery

NCT ID NCT04044820

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

Summary

This study tests whether giving patients a fixed, evidence-based number of opioid pills after hand or forearm surgery leads to fewer unused pills while still controlling pain. About 292 adults having elective outpatient hand surgery at Toronto Western Hospital will be randomly assigned to receive either the standardized prescription or usual care. The goal is to find a balance that avoids overprescription without sacrificing pain relief.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

Oxycodone or Hydromorphone or Tylenol #3 (acetaminophen with codeine)

What this could lead to

If successful, this could lead to a standard, safer way to prescribe painkillers after hand surgery, reducing leftover pills and the risk of misuse.

What could go wrong

This is a small, single-center trial, so results may not apply everywhere. The focus is on prescription patterns, not a new treatment, so the impact is limited.

Disclaimer Read more

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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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

opioid abuse

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Toronto Western Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Toronto, Ontario, M5T2S8, Canada

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••