Can a simple injection after knee surgery cut opioid use?

NCT ID NCT06955923

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

Summary

This study tested whether giving a lidocaine injection into specific muscles right after knee replacement surgery could lower pain and the need for opioid painkillers. Eleven adults aged 45 and older who had knee surgery took part. Some received the real injection, while others got a sham (fake) injection. Researchers measured pain scores and opioid use over six weeks.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

lidocaine

What this could lead to

If it works, this could offer a simple way to manage pain after knee surgery and reduce reliance on opioids.

What could go wrong

This is a very small pilot study with only 11 participants, so results may not be reliable or apply to everyone. The effect may be minimal or no better than a sham injection.

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.

myofascial pain syndrome

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • David Grant Medical Center

    Fairfield, California, 94535, United States