NAC-REPAIR for Post-surgical Pain

Starting soon · Phase 2 · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Carpal Tunnel Surgery, Trigger Finger Disorder, De Quervain Syndrome, Guyon's Canal, Dupuytren Contracture, Morton Neuroma, Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, Plantar Fasciopathy, Peroneal Nerve Entrapment

In brief

This pilot asks whether peri-operative N-acetylcysteine (NAC) improves recovery after common outpatient hand/foot-ankle surgery-specifically, does NAC reduce pain and opioid use and enhance function by modulating redox-inflammatory pathways? Primary objectives are to establish feasibility (accrual, adherence, follow-up), estimate NAC vs placebo effects on pain, function, and opioid consumption, and characterize inflammatory signatures that may predict response. Methods: a single-site, double-blind, 1:1 randomized trial (N≈80) comparing NAC 1,200 mg twice daily for 14 days (starting pre-op) vs matching placebo; daily e-diaries for POD0-14; standardized outcomes (PROMIS Pain Interference; QuickDASH or FAAM; PGIC; opioid MME); and small blood draws pre-surgery and at two follow-up visits for cytokine profiling.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07227649

Run by

University of Arizona

People needed

80

Starts

2026-10-15

Expected to finish

2027-07-15

Last updated by the study team

2026-07-17

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 75. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Elective outpatient hand/upper-extremity or foot/ankle surgery (single site; same-day discharge)
• Baseline visit feasible ≤14 days pre-op
• Can complete surveys/blood draw
• Provides informed consent
• Willing to follow dosing schedule and avoid restricted supplements/meds

You may not qualify if…

• Allergy to NAC/capsule components □ NAC or high-dose antioxidants in past 14 days (unwilling to stop)
• Chronic daily opioids ≥3 months or OUD/maintenance therapy □ Pregnant/breastfeeding or no contraception as applicable
• Daily nitrates (nitroglycerin/isosorbide) □ Planned >24h admission, multistage/trauma case □ Other interventional study within 30 days
• Unable to swallow capsules / malabsorption surgery affecting oral meds

Where it is running

• Banner Health — Tucson, Arizona, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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