In short
Currently, there is 1 ongoing clinical trial investigating pain management strategies for patients with femur fractures, specifically focusing on hip fractures in elderly individuals. The trial is examining the use of methadone as a pain relief option during and after hip fracture surgery.
Clinical trial locations
Study on Methadone and Placebo for Pain Relief in Elderly Patients with Hip Fractures
This clinical trial is investigating whether methadone can provide effective pain relief for elderly patients recovering from hip fracture surgery. Hip fractures are breaks in the upper part of the thigh bone that commonly occur in older adults, often causing severe pain and limiting mobility.
Who can participate:
- Adults aged 60 years or older
- Patients with an acute hip fracture that occurred less than 24 hours ago, confirmed by x-rays in the emergency department
- Patients with specific types of fractures: collum femoris fractures (breaks in the neck of the thigh bone), pertrochanteric fractures (breaks in the upper part of the thigh bone near the hip joint), or subtrochanteric fractures (breaks just below a small bump on the upper thigh bone)
- Both men and women are eligible
Who cannot participate:
- Patients who are not undergoing surgery for their hip fracture
- Individuals outside the specified age range
- People who are part of vulnerable populations who may have difficulty giving informed consent or are at higher risk of harm
- Patients who do not meet other specific health criteria set by the study to ensure safety
What the trial involves:
Participants will receive either a single dose of methadone or a placebo (an inactive substance) delivered directly into a vein before their hip fracture surgery. Methadone is a pain medication that works by binding to receptors in the brain and changing how the body perceives pain. The placebo allows researchers to compare outcomes and determine if methadone truly provides benefits.
After surgery, researchers will monitor several aspects of recovery including how much additional pain medication is needed, pain levels experienced, ability to stand and move, discharge time from the hospital, and any side effects such as nausea, vomiting, confusion, or constipation. The trial aims to determine if methadone can effectively reduce pain and improve recovery outcomes for elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery.
Investigational drug: Methadone is being studied in this trial as a pain management option. It is a potent opioid pain reliever that is primarily known for treating severe pain and opioid addiction, but researchers are now examining its effectiveness specifically for pain relief during hip fracture surgeries in elderly patients.
The trial is part of a larger research effort called the MetaHip trial and is expected to continue until April 2025. By participating, patients contribute to valuable research that could improve pain management strategies for elderly individuals undergoing hip fracture surgery.
Summary
Currently, there is one active clinical trial focused on femur fractures, specifically targeting hip fractures in the elderly population. The trial is being conducted in Denmark and represents an important effort to improve pain management for this vulnerable patient group. The research focuses on methadone as a potential pain relief option, examining whether a single dose administered during surgery can reduce the need for additional pain medications and improve recovery outcomes. This trial addresses a significant medical need, as hip fractures in older adults often result in severe pain, reduced mobility, and lengthy rehabilitation periods. The results of this study could provide valuable insights into optimizing pain management strategies for elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery.
