Single Shot Exparel vs Catheters in Lower Extremity Trauma

Recruiting now · Phase 4

Conditions studied: Fracture Dislocation of Ankle Joint, Fracture Leg, Fracture Femur, Fracture Lower Leg, Fracture

In brief

This study will compare the use of single-shot Exparel, a long-acting local anesthestic, with the use of catheters that deliver a continuous flow of the short-acting local anesthetic ropivacaine. The comparison will be done in patients who receive preoperative adductor and sciatic nerve blocks prior to orthopedic surgery for traumatic lower extremity injury. The patients' pain will then be monitored for up to 72 hours after injection, measuring every 12 hours after injection until the 72-hour mark. Opioid consumption (measured in morphine milligram equivalents) will also be tracked over this time period.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07221019

Run by

George Washington University

People needed

90

Starts

2025-09-12

Expected to finish

2029-08-11

Last updated by the study team

2025-10-28

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Closed lower extremity orthopedic injury
• Opioid naive patients
• No other significant surgical injuries on admission as determined by study physician

You may not qualify if…

• Allergy to local anesthetics
• Multiple traumatic injuries
• Weight less than 60 kg
• Prior opioid use or risk of increased pain control needs as determined by PI
• Chronic opioid use
• Open fractures
• Plastic surgery needed for complete closure
• Patient has intraoperative cardiac arrest

Where it is running

• The George Washington University Hospital — Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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