This study will compare two common approaches to pain control after lumbar spinal fusion surgery. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either standard pain medication alone or standard pain medication plus a short course of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including intravenous ketorolac while in the hospital and oral naproxen for one week after discharge.
The main goal is to determine whether taking NSAIDs after surgery affects how well the spine heals by increasing the chance of needing another surgery because the bones did not fuse properly within 2 years. The study will also evaluate pain medication use, recovery, hospital readmissions, complications, physical therapy progress, patient-reported pain and function, and overall healing. The results will help determine whether NSAIDs can be used safely as part of pain management after lumbar spinal fusion surgery while potentially reducing the need for opioid medications.
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:
* ≥18 years of age, ≥1-level planned lumbar spinal fusion
* Capacity to enroll
* English speaking
Exclusion Criteria:
* Chronic kidney disease (preoperative creatinine ≥1.4)
* History of gastrointestinal bleed or peptic ulcer disease
* History of spinal fusion nonunion
* Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug allergy
* Previously diagnosed coagulopathy
* Preoperative thrombocytopenia (platelets \<100,000)
* Connective tissue disease
* Operative indication due to infection, neoplasm, or trauma
* Currently pregnant
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
1
Revision surgery for symptomatic lumbar spinal fusion nonunion