CompletedNot Applicable

Pregabalin for the Treatment of Pain After Posterior Spinal Fusions

United States86 participantsStarted 2008-10

Plain-language summary

Acute pain management is challenging in patients after spinal fusions, particularly since most have taken analgesics for prolonged periods before choosing the surgical alternative. Many of these patients are either preoperatively or become after surgery narcotic dependent. In addition, the narcotic based anesthetic required for the procedure, may induce a postoperative hyper-analgesia which may be partially responsible for the acute postoperative pain which is refractory to traditional doses of narcotics. Both the persistent nociceptive and neuropathic pain which these patients experience and narcotic-induced hyper-analgesia is mediated via non-conventional neural pathways. It is for these reasons, that in these patients postoperative pain is refractory to narcotic treatment. Postoperative pain in this situation is best managed using a multimodal approach. This technique allows the application of a number of treatment modalities which maximize pain reduction and minimize treatment side effects. Pregabalin (Lyrica) has been shown to be effective in the treatment of neuropathic pain. Pregabalin has a similar mechanism of action as gabapentin. Notably it has a rapid consistent absorption, linear pharmacokinetics, and a low potential for pharmacokinetic drug interactions. Hence, pregabalin should be a beneficial addition to the multi-modal pain regimen after spinal surgery; particularly in narcotic tolerant patients who respond poorly to conventional narcotic analgesics after surgery.

Who can participate

Age range

21 Years – 80 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients for elective lumber posterior spinal fusions with segmental instrumentation Exclusion Criteria: * Use of pregabalin or gabapentin within the washout period. Some chronic pain patients should not be subjected to a washout period for either medication prior to surgery, as determined by their pain management physician, and these patients will be excluded from the study. * Allergic sensitivity to pregabalin. * Renal insufficiency, Cr ≥ 1.5 mg/dl. * Active substance abuse. * Unstable mental condition. * Non English Speaking Patients.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) Hydromorphone Usage

Timeframe: Postoperative day 1

Trial details

NCT IDNCT01366196

SponsorHospital for Special Surgery, New York

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2012-02

Results submitted2017-03-23

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Lumbar Spinal Fusions trials