The goal of this randomized clinical trial is to determine if administration of Exparel via local infiltration for medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction procedures in pediatric orthopaedic sports medicine patients provides significant pain relief and decreased narcotic use. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does Exparel significantly reduce Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores and pain levels up to one week postoperatively? * Does Exparel significantly decrease narcotic use (number of pills taken) up to one week postoperatively? Researchers will compare the pain outcomes and narcotic use of patients who receive Exparel and Marcaine via local infiltration to those of patients who receive only Marcaine via local infiltration for their MPFL reconstruction surgery. The goal is to understand if there is a significant difference in patient pain outcomes and narcotic use outside the first 24 hours postoperatively. Participants will: * receive either Exparel + Marcaine intraoperatively or Marcaine only intraoperatively during their MPFL reconstruction surgery * receive and complete questionnaires at postoperative days 1, 4, and 7 regarding their pain scores, levels, and outcomes, effective pain treatments, overall pain interference, narcotic use (number of pills taken), and overall pain treatment satisfaction * receive and complete secondary outcome measures of functional and psychological outcomes regarding their MPFL reconstruction surgery at postoperative day 1
Age range
13 Years – 21 Years
Sex
ALL
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Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
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.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Wong-Baker Face Pain Scale
Timeframe: Postoperative days 1, 4, and 7
Visual Analog Scale (VAS) 10-centimeter line 0-10 Numeric Pain Intensity Scale
Timeframe: Postoperative days 1, 4, and 7
Scottish Rite for Children-developed pain questionnaire
Timeframe: Postoperative days 1, 4, and 7
Pain Management Patient Satisfaction questionnaire
Timeframe: Postoperative day 7