Evaluation of Intercostal Neuralgia in Patients With Chest Tube Insertion After Traumatic Rib Fra… (NCT07308587) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Evaluation of Intercostal Neuralgia in Patients With Chest Tube Insertion After Traumatic Rib Fracture
Canada100 participantsStarted 2026-01-19
Plain-language summary
Traumatic rib fractures are common injuries following blunt chest trauma, often requiring chest tube insertion to manage complications such as pneumothorax or haemothorax. However, chest tube placement can lead to intercostal nerve injury, resulting in intercostal neuralgia-a debilitating condition characterized by chronic, neuropathic pain along the intercostal nerves. Despite its clinical significance, the incidence, risk factors, and long-term outcomes of intercostal neuralgia in this patient population remain poorly understood.
Chronic pain following thoracic trauma, including intercostal neuralgia, has been shown to significantly impair quality of life and functional outcomes, leading to prolonged disability and increased healthcare utilization. Current literature highlights the need for better understanding and management of this condition, particularly in patients undergoing invasive procedures such as chest tube insertion. This study aims to prospectively evaluate the development of intercostal neuralgia in patients with chest tube insertion following traumatic rib fractures.
Who can participate
Age range
18 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:
* Adults (≥18 years) with traumatic rib fractures requiring chest tube insertion
* Chest tube or pigtail insertion performed during their initial hospitalization for trauma
Exclusion Criteria:
* Patients with spinal cord injury
* Inability to complete follow-up assessments (e.g., language barriers, lack of telephone access)
Exclusion Criteria:
* Patients with traumatic brain injury
* Patients with spinal cord injury
* Inability to complete follow-up assessments (e.g., language barriers, lack of telephone access)
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.