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RecruitingInterventionalPhase 3

Post-Op Pain Control for Prophylactic Intramedullary Nailing.

NCT ID: NCT03823534Sponsor: St. Louis UniversityLast updated: 2026-04-22

Summary

Nationally, the opioid crisis has become a major epidemic with increasing mortality rates each year. Orthopedic surgeons routinely prescribe narcotics instead of NSAIDs for post-op pain control because of risk of delayed healing and nonunion due to NSAID use. Orthopedic oncology, however, has a unique subset of patients that undergo prophylactic placement of intramedullary femoral nails. Because no fracture is present, these patients do not rely on inflammatory healing factors, allowing for post-op NSAID use. This study sets out to determine the effect of post-op toradol use in addition to opioids compared to solely opioids in patients undergoing prophylactic nailing of the femur.

Detailed description

Nationally, the opioid crisis has become a major epidemic with increasing mortality rates each year. Orthopedic surgeons routinely prescribe narcotics instead of NSAIDs for post-op pain control because of risk of delayed healing and nonunion due to NSAID use. Orthopedic oncology, however, has a unique subset of patients that undergo prophylactic placement of intramedullary femoral nails, often due to bone metastases that increase risk for future fractures. Because no fracture is present, these patients do not rely on inflammatory healing factors, allowing for post-op NSAID use. Recent literature has demonstrated the efficacy of multi-modal pain management in treating post-op pain \[1\]. Currently, patients that undergo prophylactic intramedullary femur nail placement at SLU are often treated with both narcotics and toradol, as long as they can tolerate NSAIDs. However, the effect of toradol in addition to narcotics has not been determined. This study sets out to determine the effect of post-op toradol use in addition to opioids compared to solely opioids in patients undergoing prophylactic nailing of the femur.

Arms & interventions

  • DrugKetorolac

    IV Ketorolac to be given over the course of the first 24 hours after surgery. See arm/group description for further details.

  • DrugNormal saline

    An IV normal saline placebo prepared by the hospital pharmacy.

  • DrugAcetaminophen

    acetaminophen 500 mg PO Q4 hours PRN for mild pain

  • DrugOxycodone Acetaminophen

    oxycodone-acetaminophen 5-325 mg PO Q4 hours PRN for moderate to severe pain

  • DrugMorphine

    morphine IV PRN (or other opioid) for severe breakthrough pain

  • DrugHydrocodone/Acetaminophen

    At discharge, patients will be prescribed 1-2 hydrocodone-acetaminophen 5-325 mg Q4 hours. Those with preexisting liver disease will be prescribed the equivalent in oxycodone.

  • DrugOxycodone

    Upon discharge, patients will be prescribed the equivalent of 1-2 hydrocodone 5mg Q4 hours upon should they have preexisting liver disease and are unable to consume acetaminophen.

Outcome measures

Primary

  • Milligram Morphine Equivalent (MME) of Opioid Medications Utilized

    Measure the effect of post-op ketorolac on the concurrent use of opioid pain medications during post-op days 1-14 following prophylactic IMN of the femur compared to patients treated only with opioids.

    Time frame: Post-op days 1-14

Secondary

  • Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement System (PROMIS) Pain Intensity Scale

    Time frame: Up to six weeks post-op

  • Single Assessment Numerical Evaluation (SANE)

    Time frame: Up to six weeks post-op

  • Numerical Rating Scale (NRS)

    Time frame: Up to six weeks post-op

Eligibility criteria

Sex: AllAge: 18 Years and olderHealthy volunteers: No
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Femoral Shaft or Neck bone lesion 2. 18 years old or greater 3. Plan to undergo prophylactic intramedullary nailing of one femur Exclusion Criteria: 1. Concurrent pathologic fracture 2. History of advanced renal impairment (eGFR\<30mL/min) 3. History of Peptic Ulcer Disease with bleeding or requiring hospitalization 4. History of NSAID or aspirin allergy 5. Concurrent chemotherapy regimen that prevents NSAID use 6. History of liver disease that precludes use of toradol 7. History of heart failure or cardiovascular disease that precludes toradol usage 8. Pregnancy 9. History of narcotic allergy resulting in anaphylaxis 10. Patients with coagulation disorders or those who require concomitant use of anticoagulant or anti- platelet therapy during the treatment phase of the study. 11. Patients with acetaminophen allergies resulting in anaphylaxis 12. Current use of the medication probenecid 13. Current use of the medication Pentoxifylline 14. History of aspirin induced asthma. 15. Known history of opioid dependence, abuse, or addiction. 16. Bilateral IMN of the femurs

Study locations (1)

Saint Louis University

St Louis, Missouri, 63110

Recruiting
Allison Gruender, MSN · Contact
314-617-3406allison.gruender@health.slu.edu

References

  • Cepeda MS, Carr DB, Miranda N, Diaz A, Silva C, Morales O. Comparison of morphine, ketorolac, and their combination for postoperative pain: results from a large, randomized, double-blind trial. Anesthesiology. 2005 Dec;103(6):1225-32. doi: 10.1097/00000542-200512000-00018.(PubMed)