Tourniquet Exposure and Risk of Chronic Pain After Severe Limb Trauma
Starting soon
Conditions studied: Pain, Pain After Surgery, Phantom Limb Pain After Amputation, Military Combat Stress Reaction
In brief
Severe limb trauma often requires the use of a tourniquet to stop life-threatening bleeding. While tourniquets are essential for saving lives, prolonged interruption of blood flow may lead to tissue ischemia, nerve injury, and inflammatory responses that could contribute to the development of chronic pain. The TOURNI-PAIN Study is a prospective observational study designed to investigate whether the duration of tourniquet use during the treatment of severe limb injuries is associated with an increased risk of persistent pain after recovery. The study will enroll adult patients with major upper or lower limb trauma who required tourniquet application in the prehospital or hospital setting. Researchers will collect information about the duration and characteristics of tourniquet use, details of the injury, surgical treatment, and recovery. Participants will be followed for up to 6 months after injury to assess pain levels, possible neuropathic pain, functional recovery, and quality of life. The goal of this research is to better understand whether longer tourniquet exposure increases the risk of long-term pain. The findings may help improve trauma care practices by balancing the life-saving benefits of hemorrhage control with strategies that minimize long-term complications and improve recovery for patients with severe limb injuries.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT07475871
- Run by
- Charitable Organisation Charitable Fund Superhumans (Co Cf Superhumans)
- People needed
- 150
- Starts
- 2026-03-15
- Expected to finish
- 2026-03-15
- Last updated by the study team
- 2026-03-18
Who can join
Age: 18 and older, up to 60. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.
You may qualify if…
- Age ≥18 years
- Severe upper or lower limb trauma
- Documented tourniquet use (prehospital or in-hospital)
- Available documentation of tourniquet duration
- Informed consent
You may not qualify if…
- Pre-existing chronic limb pain
- Known severe peripheral neuropathy
- Cognitive inability to complete follow-up
- Expected survival <48 hours
Where it is running
- Superhumans War Trauma Center — Lviv, Ukraine
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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