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A Study on Reducing Opioid Use After Ankle Arthroscopy

Effect of a Postoperative Multimodal Analgesic Protocol Predominantly Based on Non-Opioid Medications vs Opioid-Based Analgesia on Pain After Ankle Arthroscopy: A Noninferiority Randomized Clinical Trial

Status
Completed
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07154433
Enrollment
112
Registered
2025-09-04
Start date
2025-09-01
Completion date
2026-05-07
Last updated
2026-06-17

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

Conditions

Ankle (Ligaments); Instability (Old Injury), Ankle Sprain, Non-Opioid Pain Management, Opioid Analgesia, Talus Osteochondral Defect

Brief summary

Study Title Effect of a Postoperative Multimodal Analgesic Protocol Predominantly Based on Non-Opioid Medications vs Opioid-Based Analgesia on Pain After Ankle Arthroscopy: A Noninferiority Randomized Clinical Trial Purpose This study aims to compare the pain control effect and side effects of non-opioid versus opioid medications in patients undergoing ankle arthroscopy. The goal is to find a safer analgesic strategy to reduce opioid use and related risks (e.g., addiction, respiratory depression) while maintaining effective postoperative pain management. Design Study Type: Prospective, randomized controlled trial. Participants: 110 adults (18-65 years) scheduled for ankle arthroscopy under general anesthesia. Interventions: Experimental Group: Non-opioid regimen (celecoxib + acetaminophen). Control Group: Opioid regimen (oxycodone + acetaminophen). Assessments: Pain scores (NRS) at 2 hours,6 hours,12 hours, 24 hours, and days 2-6 postoperatively; Area under the curve (AUC\\\_{0-24}) of Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) pain intensity scores from 0-24 hours.adverse events (e.g., nausea, constipation); The total consumption of additional rescue opioids, expressed as oral morphine equivalent dose (OME); patient satisfaction. Key Eligibility Able to provide informed consent. ASA physical status I-II. BMI 16-32 kg/m². Exclusion criteria: Chronic pain, opioid use history, allergies to study drugs, or severe organ dysfunction. Benefits & Risks Benefits: Standardized analgesia management and personalized pain monitoring; potential contribution to safer clinical pain protocols. Risks: Opioids may cause nausea, sedation, or respiratory depression; non-opioids may carry risks of gastrointestinal bleeding or liver injury. Emergency support is available for severe events. Contact Information For more details, contact the research team at Zhejiang University Second Affiliated Hospital: Phone: 0571-87783759 Email: keyanlunli\_zheer@163.com This trial is registered to evaluate non-opioid alternatives for ankle arthroscopy pain control, prioritizing patient safety and evidence-based care.

Interventions

DRUGOpioid Analgesic Regimen

Participants will take 5 mg/325 mg of oxycodone - acetaminophen every 6 hours as needed for pain, with a maximum of 4 doses per day. Rescue analgesia protocol: a limited rescue prescription of oxycodone/acetaminophen (containing 5 mg oxycodone), to be taken every 2 hours as needed, with no more than 10 tablets per day, and only if adequate pain relief is not achieved (defined as NRS score ≥ 4).

DRUGNon-opioid analgesic regimen

Immediately after surgery, patients will receive oral acetaminophen 500 mg plus celecoxib 400 mg. Thereafter, celecoxib 200 mg BID and acetaminophen 500 mg Q6H will be administered. Rescue analgesia protocol: a limited rescue prescription of oxycodone/acetaminophen (containing 5 mg oxycodone), to be taken every 2 hours as needed, with no more than 10 tablets per day, and only if adequate pain relief is not achieved (defined as NRS score ≥ 4).

Sponsors

Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

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

Masking description

This study employs investigator masking (also known as single - blind) to minimize bias in data collection and assessment. Eligible participants undergoing ankle arthroscopy are randomly assigned to either the non - opioid or opioid analgesia group using a computer - generated random number sequence. The randomization process is managed by an independent statistician, who assigns participants to groups and stores this information securely. Investigators responsible for direct patient interactions, including administering medications, assessing pain scores (Numeric Rating Scale, NRS), recording adverse events, and evaluating patient - reported outcomes (such as PROMIS questionnaires), are unaware of the participants' assigned groups. This masking approach ensures that their evaluations remain objective and are not influenced by expectations regarding the effectiveness or safety of the intervention. To maintain blinding integrity, study medications are packaged identically, and the label

Intervention model description

This interventional study employs a parallel - group, randomized, assessor - blinded design to compare the effectiveness and safety of non - opioid versus opioid medications for perioperative analgesia in ankle arthroscopy patients. Randomization: Eligible participants (n = 110) are randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the non - opioid or opioid group using a computer - generated random number sequence.The randomization is stratified by the surgical incision: standard arthroscopic portals versus the arthroscopy-assisted mini-open approach. The randomization process is conducted by an independent statistician, ensuring unbiased allocation and minimizing selection bias.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Age 18-65 years old. Scheduled for elective ankle arthroscopy under general anesthesia(Arthroscopic procedures including:(1) debridement procedures, including synovectomy, removal of loose bodies, and treatment of soft-tissue or bony impingement; (2) cartilage-related procedures, including debridement, microfracture, or other bone marrow stimulation techniques for osteochondral lesions of the talus; and (3) ligamentous procedures, including arthroscopically assisted repair or reconstruction for chronic lateral ankle instability). American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I or II. Body mass index (BMI) 16-32 kg/m². Able to understand and sign the informed consent form. Willing and able to comply with study procedures, including follow - up visits and outcome assessments.

Exclusion criteria

* History of chronic pain (pain lasting \>3 months) or current use of opioid medications within the past 3 months. Known allergies or contraindications to study medications (celecoxib, acetaminophen, oxycodone, tramadol, dezocine). Severe cardiovascular, hepatic, renal, or respiratory dysfunction (ASA ≥ III). History of substance abuse, alcohol dependence, or significant psychiatric disorders. Pregnant or breastfeeding women. Participation in another clinical trial within the past 30 days. Unstable medical conditions that may interfere with study participation or outcome assessment.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Pain score at 24 hours post-operation24 hours after ankle arthroscopyThe pain score will be assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), where 0 represents "no pain" and 10 represents "the worst pain imaginable." This score reflects the patient's subjective experience of pain intensity 24 hours after ankle arthroscopy. By comparing the NRS scores between the non - opioid analgesia group and the opioid analgesia group, we can evaluate the effectiveness of each intervention in managing acute postoperative pain.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Area under the curve (AUC\_{0-24}) of Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) pain intensity scores from 0-24 hours.Within 24 hours postoperativelyThe area under the curve (AUC) of NRS pain scores within the first 24 hours will be calculated using NRS measurements at 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours postoperatively, providing an accurate estimate of the patient's overall pain experience during the 24-hour period.
The total consumption of additional rescue opioids, expressed as oral morphine equivalent dose (OME)From immediately after surgery until 6 days post - operationThis indicator reflects whether pain control in the non-opioid group is adequate. If pain control is insufficient, patients will consume more opioids for rescue, thereby allowing an inference on the analgesic efficacy of the non-opioid regimen.
Incidence of adverse eventsFrom the start of medication administration until 6 days post - operationAdverse events related to the analgesic regimens will be recorded, including but not limited to nausea, vomiting, constipation, dizziness, sedation, respiratory depression, and gastrointestinal bleeding. The occurrence rate of each adverse event will be calculated for both groups to evaluate the safety profiles of the non - opioid and opioid interventions.
Patient - reported satisfaction6 days post - operationParticipants will complete a 4-point likert scale to describe his satisfaction of the pain manegement at 6 days post - operation. The questionnaire assesses patients' overall satisfaction with the pain management strategy, including aspects such as effectiveness of pain relief, tolerability of medications, and impact on daily activities. Scores range from 1 (extremely dissatisfied) to 4 (extremely satisfied).
Patient - reported outcome measures (PROMIS) scoresBaseline (pre - operation), and 6 days post - operationParticipants will fill out the PROMIS Pain Interference - Short Form (PI - SF) . it evaluate the impact of pain on daily function , respectively. Scores are standardized, with higher values indicating greater interference or disturbance.
Pain score on the second postoperative day2 hours post - operation; 2 - 6 days post - operationPain intensity will be evaluated using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS, 0 = no pain, 10 = worst pain imaginable) at second postoperative day. the scores help to comprehensively assess the time - course of pain relief provided by each intervention.
Pain score on the third postoperative daythe third postoperative dayPain intensity will be evaluated using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS, 0 = no pain, 10 = worst pain imaginable) at third postoperative day. the scores help to comprehensively assess the time - course of pain relief provided by each intervention.
Pain score on the forth postoperative daythe forth postoperative dayPain intensity will be evaluated using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS, 0 = no pain, 10 = worst pain imaginable) at forth postoperative day. the scores help to comprehensively assess the time - course of pain relief provided by each intervention.
Pain score on the fifth postoperative dayon the fifth postoperative dayPain intensity will be evaluated using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS, 0 = no pain, 10 = worst pain imaginable) at fifth postoperative day. the scores help to comprehensively assess the time - course of pain relief provided by each intervention.
Pain score on the sixth postoperative daythe sixth postoperative dayPain intensity will be evaluated using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS, 0 = no pain, 10 = worst pain imaginable) at sixth postoperative day. the scores help to comprehensively assess the time - course of pain relief provided by each intervention.
Insomnia Severity IndexBaseline (pre - operation), and 6 days post - operationTo assess the subjective severity of insomnia before and after surgery, its impact on daytime functioning, and the degree of distress caused by sleep problems.

Countries

China

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Jun 18, 2026