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Opioid-Free Pain Protocol After Shoulder Arthroplasty

Multimodal Nonopioid Pain Protocol Following Shoulder Arthroplasty Surgery

Status
Active, not recruiting
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05488847
Enrollment
83
Registered
2022-08-05
Start date
2022-06-25
Completion date
2026-09-01
Last updated
2026-02-10

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Shoulder Arthropathy, Shoulder Pain

Brief summary

This randomized, single blinded, clinical trial aims to investigate the efficacy of a multimodal pain control regimen for shoulder arthroplasty. Patients who receive a multimodal pain control regimen alone (study group) will be compared to patients who receive a multimodal pain control regimen plus a standard prescription of an opioid containing medication (comparison group). The primary outcome is average daily Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) pain score in the first 10 days after surgery. We hypothesize that there will be no significant difference in the primary outcome between the two groups.

Detailed description

The United States is in the midst of an ongoing opioid crisis. In 2019, approximately 153 million opioid prescriptions were dispensed (46.7 per 100 persons) and 50,000 people died from opioid-involved overdoses. Orthopaedic and spine conditions account for 27.7% of opioid prescriptions and prior studies demonstrate that musculoskeletal pain is frequently reported by opioid abusers as their initial reason for consuming opioids. For these reasons, orthopaedic surgeons are uniquely posed to combat this crisis. Multimodal pain control is a strategy that utilizes multiple pain medications to provide analgesia. The theory behind this strategy is that agents with different mechanisms of action work synergistically to reduce pain by blocking multiple pain pathways. Several randomized controlled trials have investigated the efficacy of multimodal pain control for orthopaedic procedures, including anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, labral repair, meniscus repair, and rotator cuff repair. In these studies, patients who received a multimodal nonopioid regimen had equivalent or better postoperative pain control compared to a standard opioid regimen. Furthermore, no severe side effects were reported in patients who received the multimodal nonopioid regimen. This randomized, single blinded, standard of care-controlled clinical trial aims to investigate the efficacy of a multimodal pain control (similar to the regimen utilized in the aforementioned studies) for controlling pain following shoulder arthroplasty. Adult patients indicated for anatomic or reverse total shoulder arthroplasty will be randomized to either the experimental or comparison group. The experimental group will receive a multimodal, non-narcotic pain control regimen consisting of Celecoxib, Pregabalin, and Tramadol preoperatively; Dexamethasone, Acetaminophen, Ropivacaine, Epinephrine, and Ketorolac intraoperatively; and Dexamethasone, Pregabalin, Tizanidine, Magnesium, Ibuprofen, and Acetaminophen postoperatively. In addition to the aforementioned multimodal pain control regimen, the comparison group will receive a standard prescription of Oxycodone to be taken as needed postoperatively. If patients in the experimental group feel their pain is uncontrolled, they have the option of calling in to request a prescription of Oxycodone. Pain, pain medication use, and medication side effects will be closely monitored for the first 10 days after surgery by having patients respond to daily automated text messages. Additionally, all study participants will complete patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) surveys and undergo physical examination of their shoulder during routine clinic visits preoperatively and at 1 week, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years postoperatively. The primary outcome of this study is postoperative pain scores on the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) for the first 10 days postoperatively. We hypothesize that there will be no significant difference between the groups with regard to the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes measured during the first 10 days postoperative include morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) of opioids consumed, Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System Pain Interference (PROMIS-PI) score at first postoperative clinic visit (7-10 days postoperatively), duration of patient reported adverse events (ie, constipation, nausea, diarrhea, upset stomach, drowsiness, loopiness), perioperative complications, and satisfaction with pain control. Secondary outcomes measured at routine postoperative clinic visits out to 2 years after surgery include postoperative complications, need for revision surgery, PROM scores (ie, PROMIS upper extremity, PROMIS PI, PROMIS D, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Shoulder Score, Shoulder Arthroplasty Smart, Constant-Murley), hospital and emergency department readmission (30-day, 60-day, 90-day), duration of narcotic pain medication use shoulder strength, and shoulder range of motion.

Interventions

DRUGCelecoxib

preoperative pain medication given to all patients

DRUGPregabalin

preoperative and discharge pain medication given to all patients

DRUGTramadol

preoperative pain medication given to all patients

DRUGDexamethasone

Intraoperative and discharge pain medication given to all patients

DRUGAcetaminophen

Intraoperative and discharge pain medication given to all patients

Intraoperative pain medication given to all patients

DRUGEpinephrine

Intraoperative pain medication given to all patients

DRUGKetorolac

Intraoperative pain medication given to all patients

Discharge pain medication given to all patients

DRUGMagnesium

Discharge pain medication given to all patients

DRUGIbuprofen

Discharge pain medication given to all patients

DRUGOxycodone Hydrochloride 5 Mg

Only given to active comparator group

Sponsors

Henry Ford Health System
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Consented and scheduled for primary anatomic or reverse total shoulder arthroplasty at a Henry Ford hospital location

Exclusion criteria

* Unable to receive or reply to mobile phone text messages. * Unable to read or speak English * Medical history of known allergies or intolerance to any of the medications prescribed as a part of this study (ie, Percocet, Ibuprofen, Pregabalin, Dexamethasone, Acetaminophen, Tizanidine, Magnesium, Celecoxib, Tramadol, Ropivacaine, Epinephrine, Ketorolac) * Substantial alcohol or drug abuse * Recent or current pregnancy * History of narcotic use within 3 months prior to surgery * Renal or hepatic impairment or dysfunction * Use of blood thinner medication * Peptic ulcer disease * Gastrointestinal bleeding * History of gastric bypass surgery

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Pain LevelsThe first 10 days postoperativelyPatients record pain levels using a Visual analog scale for 10 days post-operatively. On each day, patients report their pain level via an automated text messaging service in the morning, afternoon, and the evening. A mean pain level is calculated from all scores reported by a patient in the first 10 days postoperatively. Patients will use a 0-10 scale along with visuals to indicate their level of pain with 0 being no pain at all and 10 being the worst pain possible. Lower scores indicate better outcomes.
Morphine Milligram EquivalentsThe first 10 days postoperatively.The morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) of opioids consumed will be recorded.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Patient-Reported Outcomes Scores (PROMs) for Upper Extremity Pain InterferencePreoperatively, 10 days postoperatively, 6 weeks postoperatively, and 3 months postoperativelyPatient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) scores for upper extremity pain and how it interferes with the patients daily life. A T-score is given with a standard deviation based on the patients answers to the computerized adaptive test. The metrics have been designed to conform to a 10 - 90-point scale, with a score of 50 representing the mean of the population at large, 10 representing the minimum, and 90 representing the maximum function. A higher T-score represents higher pain interference (worse outcomes). Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Interference (PROMIS-PI) once every night for 10 days post-operatively.
Patient-Reported Outcomes Scores (PROMs) for Upper Extremity FunctionPreoperatively, 6 weeks postoperatively, and 3 months postoperativelyPatient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) scores for upper extremity function. A T-score is given with a standard deviation based on the patients answers to the computerized adaptive test. The metrics have been designed to conform to a 0 - 100-point scale, with a score of 50 representing the mean of the population at large, 0 representing the minimum, and 100 representing the maximum function.
Patient-Reported Outcomes Scores (PROMs) for DepressionPreoperatively, 6 weeks postoperatively, and 3 months postoperativelyPatient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) scores for depression. A T-score is given with a standard deviation based on the patients answers to the computerized adaptive test. The metrics have been designed to conform to a 10 - 90-point scale, with a score of 50 representing the mean of the population at large, 10 representing the minimum, and 90 representing the maximum function. A higher T-score represents higher increased depression (worse).
American Shoulder and Elbow ScorePreoperatively, 6 weeks postoperatively, and 3 months postoperativelyThis is a patient reported outcome measure meant to assess participant shoulder function and pain. The score ranges from 0 to 100, with 0 representing a combination of poor shoulder function and high pain burden and 100 representing a lack of shoulder pain or functional deficit. The score is obtained by combining two subscale scores which are weighted equally. The first subscale is the visual analog scale, which asks participants to rate their pain on a scale of 0 to 10. A score of 0 indicates no pain and a score of 10 indicates the worst pain imaginable. The second subscale is the activities of daily living questionnaire. This questionnaire is composed of 10 questions, each asking about a specific activity of daily living related to shoulder function. For each question, the answer choices include: unable to do (0 points); very difficult to do (1 point); somewhat difficult (2 points); not difficult (3 points).
Shoulder Arthroplasty Smart Score (SAS)preoperatively; 6 weeks postoperatively; 3 months postoperativelyThis is a score from 0 to 100 meant to represent the level of participant shoulder function. 0 represents the most poor function, and 100 the best possible score for function. The score is determined by combining three range of motion measures and 3 questions which are answered on a scale of 0 to 10. The three range of motion measures include forward flexion, internal rotation, and external rotation. The remaining three questions are as follows: What is your average pain on a daily basis?; What is your ability to use your affected shoulder on a daily basis?; What is your average pain when lying on affected side?
Medication Side EffectsFirst 10 days postoperativelyThe side effects were assessed to see whether they were present or not in the first 10 days postoperatively. They include constipation, nausea, diarrhea, upset stomach drowsiness, and loopiness
Number of Patients Who Required ReoperationTo 2 years postoperativeWhether or not patients required another operation.

Countries

United States

Contacts

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORStephanie J Muh, MD

Henry Ford Health

Participant flow

Recruitment details

Participants were assessed for eligibility and recruited for participation at their final preoperative clinic visit. Informed, written consent was obtained for eligible participants. Of 268 participants assessed for eligibility, 83 were included in the study. Of the 185 excluded participants, 69 declined participation while 116 met one of the exclusion criteria.

Pre-assignment details

Included participants were not differentiated based on any factors before being randomized to a treatment group. Participant assignment to 1 of 2 treatment groups was performed using a computer generated random number sequence.

Baseline characteristics

Characteristic
Age, Continuous69 years
BMI29.9 kg/m^2
chronic kidney disease
no
36 Participants
chronic kidney disease
yes
2 Participants
Diabetes status
No
30 Participants
Diabetes status
Yes
8 Participants
hypertension
no
27 Participants
hypertension
yes
51 Participants
Insulin dependence status
no
35 Participants
Insulin dependence status
Yes
5 Participants
Procedure Type
RTSA
35 Participants
Procedure Type
TSA
6 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Black
12 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Hispanic
1 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Other
1 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
White
31 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
18 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
20 Participants
tobacco use
Current
2 Participants
tobacco use
Former
11 Participants
tobacco use
Never
25 Participants
Worker's compensation
No
40 Participants
Worker's compensation
Yes
1 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 380 / 40
other
Total, other adverse events
2 / 382 / 40
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 380 / 40

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 11, 2026