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.
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.
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
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