Carpal Tunnel SyndromePhase 4NCT03867539
Exparel and Education to Avoid Opioids After Carpal Tunnel Release
A Phase 4 study testing Differing pain management strategy in people with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, run by Kettering Health Network at 2 sites in United States.
Trial summary
This trial seeks to use the long acting local anesthetic Exparel, in conjunction with opioid education, to attempt to avoid any post-operative opioid use following carpal tunnel surgery. This group will be compared with a "standard" group that receives non-liposomal bupivacaine, opioid education, and opioids. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- What is being tested?
- Differing pain management strategy
- Type of treatment
- Injection or infusion
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 64 participants
- Where
- 2 sitesUnited States
- Study dates
- 15 Feb 2019to 31 Dec 2027
- Phase
- Phase 4
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosed either by physical exam or EMG
- age >18.
Who cannot join
- allergy to bupivacaine
- pre-operative opioid usage within the last six months
- patients allergic to Percocet or acetaminophen
- patients taking tricyclic antidepressants (interaction with bupivacaine)
- vulnerable populations (prisoners or pregnant women)
Trial locations and contacts
2 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States2 sites, 2 recruiting
- Recruiting
Orthopedic Associates of Southwest Ohio
Dayton, Ohio, 45414
Laura Peterson, 937-439-6483, lpeterson@oaswo.com
Ronald Buczek, DO
- Recruiting
Orthopedic Associates of Southwest Ohio
Dayton, Ohio, 45459
Laura Peterson, 937-439-6483
Ronald Buczek, DO
About this study
This trial seeks to use the long acting local anesthetic Exparel, in conjunction with opioid education, to attempt to avoid any post-operative opioid use following carpal tunnel surgery. This group will be compared with a "standard" group that receives non-liposomal bupivacaine, opioid education, and opioids.
Read the detailed description
As has become apparent in the media, as well as in the clinical practice of nearly every type of medicine over the last few years, the nation is currently experiencing an opioid epidemic. This is a significant public health issue that has sweeping consequences that reach far beyond the medical field. The investigators believe over the last several decades, public perception regarding pain, especially post-operatively, has changed for the worse. The nation is in need of a paradigm shift in the way pain is managed, and the way the public perceives this issue, especially regarding pain expectations. As patients have become more involved with medical care as well as more knowledgeable, the investigators often see patients having performed online research regarding outcomes and expectations following particular procedures, to include post-operative pain. Commonly, even for smaller procedures performed in office, patients request opioids. As of yet, there are few data regarding use of long acting (Exparel) local analgesia alone in hand surgery, and none combining this strategy with pre-operative opioid education. The goal is to build the groundwork for the cessation of opioid prescription following carpal tunnel surgery, and produce proof that may be given patients to showing this to be an effective strategy. As some sources estimate 400,000 carpal tunnel surgeries are performed yearly, it is believed that this alternative pain management strategy, if adopted at a national level, would make a significant step towards remedying the current crisis. The rationale as to why this will be successful is the duration of action of Exparel, which has been shown to be effective for up to 72 hours. By 72 hours, post-procedure pain levels tend to have dropped precipitously, if not resolved. Use of pre-operative opioid education has also been shown to decrease perception of the need for and use of opioids. The investigators plan to study two groups: a control/standard of care group, that are given pre-operative opioid education as well as opioids, and a study group, which will have pre-operative opioid education, Exparel injection, and no opioids. Exparel will be administered as 10cc injected in the operative field, consisting of ~5cc of Exparel, ~5cc of bupivacaine, and epinephrine. All injections will be performed in the same manner. Following injection, carpal tunnel release will be performed in a similar manner in all patients. Patients that meet all of the inclusion and none of the exclusion criteria would be eligible for participation. If a patient agreed to participate, they would be randomized to group A (standard of care + education), or group B (Exparel + education + no opioids). This would be accomplished by drawing an A or B written on a paper ticket out of a bag. Adverse reactions and pain levels at 24, 48, and 72 hours will be assessed with telephone or email questionnaire, as will use of medication in the opioid group. Statistical analysis will be performed using analysis of variance, Mann-Whitney U test, and/or chi square test, as appropriate. The public health relevance of this project is to alter patient's perceived need for opioid medications post procedure, and decrease the amount of circulating opioids locally and nationally. The investigators believe this a meritorious goal, given that opioid related overdose deaths have increased eight-fold from 2012 to 2016.
- Conditions
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Being tested
- Differing pain management strategy
- Keywords
- hand, exparel, opioid crisis
- Medical subject headings
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Differing pain management strategyDrug
The investigators aim to investigate an alternative (vs "standard") pain management strategy for post operative carpal tunnel release. All drugs used are FDA approved for these indications, and no drug itself is being investigated.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Control Group; Bupivacaine + opioids | Active comparator | This is the "standard of care" arm. This group will receive pre-operative opioid education and "standard of care", which consists of an injection of 10cc bupivacaine (plus ~1cc epinephrine and bicarbonate) into the carpal tunnel and overlying skin pre-operatively, and a post operative prescription for opioids (oxycodone/acetaminophen 5/325). Pain scores and medication usage will be tracked for three days post operatively to assess the validity and efficacy of differing pain management strategies. Receives: Drug: Differing pain management strategy |
| Experimental Group: Exparel, no opioids | Experimental | This group will receive pre-operative opioid education, Exparel injection (liposomal bupivacaine, with bupivacaine, epinephrine and bicarbonate), and would not receive a prescription for opioids. This injection will be administered as 10cc injected in the operative field, consisting of ~5cc of Exparel (liposomal bupivacaine), ~5cc of bupivacaine, and ~1cc epinephrine. Pain scores and medication usage will be tracked for three days post operatively to assess the validity and efficacy of differing pain management strategies. Receives: Drug: Differing pain management strategy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Evaluation of post operative pain levels via Visual Analog Scale
The investigators aim to evaluate pain in either arm of the study, followed over a three day course. As several studies have shown pain to be wholly or mostly resolved by post-operative day three. Patients will answer questionnaire to include Visual Analog Scale for pain, and amount of pain medication taken. The Visual Analog Scale for pain ranges from a score of 0 to 10, with 0 being "no pain", 5 being "distressing pain", and 10 being "the worst pain imaginable"
Measured: Within the first few months of study duration
Secondary outcomes (1)
Failure of alternate pain management strategy
The investigators aim to identify any subset of patients that do not respond to combination therapy (education + Exparel). Analysis of data provided by patient-answered Visual Analog Scale will occur. Failures will be presented as a whole number and as percentage of total participants.
Measured: Within the first few months of study duration
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted8 Mar 2019
- Study start15 Feb 2019
- Primary completion31 Dec 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Dec 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (7)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Carpal Tunnel SyndromeStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 4
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Care provider
- Enrolment
- 64 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Kettering Health Network
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- American Society for Surgery of the Hand
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Ronald Buczek, DO, Principal investigator, Kettering Health Network
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03867539
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 6012435
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 30 Jan 2019
- Last updated
- 8 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- Yes
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Al Youha S, Lalonde DH. Update/Review: changing of use of local anesthesia in the hand. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2014 Jun 6;2(5):e150. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000000095. eCollection 2014 May.
PubMed 25289343Okamura A, Meirelles LM, Fernandes CH, Raduan Neto J, Dos Santos JB, Faloppa F. Evaluation of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome treated by endoscopic technique. Acta Ortop Bras. 2014;22(1):29-33. doi: 10.1590/S1413-78522014000100005.
PubMed 24644417Alter TH, Ilyas AM. A Prospective Randomized Study Analyzing Preoperative Opioid Counseling in Pain Management After Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery. J Hand Surg Am. 2017 Oct;42(10):810-815. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2017.07.003. Epub 2017 Sep 8.
PubMed 28890331Boonstra AM, Schiphorst Preuper HR, Reneman MF, Posthumus JB, Stewart RE. Reliability and validity of the visual analogue scale for disability in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Int J Rehabil Res. 2008 Jun;31(2):165-9. doi: 10.1097/MRR.0b013e3282fc0f93.
PubMed 18467932Ketonis C, Ilyas AM, Liss F. Pain management strategies in hand surgery. Orthop Clin North Am. 2015 Jul;46(3):399-408, xi. doi: 10.1016/j.ocl.2015.02.008. Epub 2015 Mar 31.
PubMed 26043053Ketonis C, Kim N, Liss F, Zmistowski B, Matzon J, Leinberry C, Wang M, Jones C, Abboudi J, Kirkpatrick W, Ilyas AM. Wide Awake Trigger Finger Release Surgery: Prospective Comparison of Lidocaine, Marcaine, and Exparel. Hand (N Y). 2016 Jun;11(2):177-83. doi: 10.1177/1558944715627618. Epub 2016 Mar 8.
PubMed 27390559Svensson I, Sjostrom B, Haljamae H. Assessment of pain experiences after elective surgery. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2000 Sep;20(3):193-201. doi: 10.1016/s0885-3924(00)00174-3.
PubMed 11018337
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 8 Apr 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Exparel and Education to Avoid Opioids After Carpal Tunnel Release
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03867539
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 6012435
- Conditions
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Keywords
- hand, exparel, opioid crisis
- Phase
- Phase 4
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 64 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Kettering Health NetworkUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- American Society for Surgery of the Hand
- Study start
- 15 Feb 2019 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Dec 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Dec 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 8 Mar 2019 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This trial seeks to use the long acting local anesthetic Exparel, in conjunction with opioid education, to attempt to avoid any post-operative opioid use following carpal tunnel surgery. This group will be compared with a "standard" group that receives non-liposomal bupivacaine, opioid education, and opioids.
Detailed description
As has become apparent in the media, as well as in the clinical practice of nearly every type of medicine over the last few years, the nation is currently experiencing an opioid epidemic. This is a significant public health issue that has sweeping consequences that reach far beyond the medical field. The investigators believe over the last several decades, public perception regarding pain, especially post-operatively, has changed for the worse. The nation is in need of a paradigm shift in the way pain is managed, and the way the public perceives this issue, especially regarding pain expectations. As patients have become more involved with medical care as well as more knowledgeable, the investigators often see patients having performed online research regarding outcomes and expectations following particular procedures, to include post-operative pain. Commonly, even for smaller procedures performed in office, patients request opioids. As of yet, there are few data regarding use of long acting (Exparel) local analgesia alone in hand surgery, and none combining this strategy with pre-operative opioid education. The goal is to build the groundwork for the cessation of opioid prescription following carpal tunnel surgery, and produce proof that may be given patients to showing this to be an effective strategy. As some sources estimate 400,000 carpal tunnel surgeries are performed yearly, it is believed that this alternative pain management strategy, if adopted at a national level, would make a significant step towards remedying the current crisis. The rationale as to why this will be successful is the duration of action of Exparel, which has been shown to be effective for up to 72 hours. By 72 hours, post-procedure pain levels tend to have dropped precipitously, if not resolved. Use of pre-operative opioid education has also been shown to decrease perception of the need for and use of opioids. The investigators plan to study two groups: a control/standard of care group, that are given pre-operative opioid education as well as opioids, and a study group, which will have pre-operative opioid education, Exparel injection, and no opioids. Exparel will be administered as 10cc injected in the operative field, consisting of ~5cc of Exparel, ~5cc of bupivacaine, and epinephrine. All injections will be performed in the same manner. Following injection, carpal tunnel release will be performed in a similar manner in all patients. Patients that meet all of the inclusion and none of the exclusion criteria would be eligible for participation. If a patient agreed to participate, they would be randomized to group A (standard of care + education), or group B (Exparel + education + no opioids). This would be accomplished by drawing an A or B written on a paper ticket out of a bag. Adverse reactions and pain levels at 24, 48, and 72 hours will be assessed with telephone or email questionnaire, as will use of medication in the opioid group. Statistical analysis will be performed using analysis of variance, Mann-Whitney U test, and/or chi square test, as appropriate. The public health relevance of this project is to alter patient's perceived need for opioid medications post procedure, and decrease the amount of circulating opioids locally and nationally. The investigators believe this a meritorious goal, given that opioid related overdose deaths have increased eight-fold from 2012 to 2016.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (care provider)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Control Group; Bupivacaine + opioids | Active comparator | Drug: Differing pain management strategyThis is the "standard of care" arm. This group will receive pre-operative opioid education and "standard of care", which consists of an injection of 10cc bupivacaine (plus ~1cc epinephrine and bicarbonate) into the carpal tunnel and overlying skin pre-operatively, and a post operative prescription for opioids (oxycodone/acetaminophen 5/325). Pain scores and medication usage will be tracked for three days post operatively to assess the validity and efficacy of differing pain management strategies. |
| Experimental Group: Exparel, no opioids | Experimental | Drug: Differing pain management strategyThis group will receive pre-operative opioid education, Exparel injection (liposomal bupivacaine, with bupivacaine, epinephrine and bicarbonate), and would not receive a prescription for opioids. This injection will be administered as 10cc injected in the operative field, consisting of ~5cc of Exparel (liposomal bupivacaine), ~5cc of bupivacaine, and ~1cc epinephrine. Pain scores and medication usage will be tracked for three days post operatively to assess the validity and efficacy of differing pain management strategies. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosed either by physical exam or EMG
- age >18.
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- allergy to bupivacaine
- pre-operative opioid usage within the last six months
- patients allergic to Percocet or acetaminophen
- patients taking tricyclic antidepressants (interaction with bupivacaine)
- vulnerable populations (prisoners or pregnant women)
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Differing pain management strategyThe investigators aim to investigate an alternative (vs "standard") pain management strategy for post operative carpal tunnel release. All drugs used are FDA approved for these indications, and no drug itself is being investigated. | Drug | Control Group; Bupivacaine + opioids, Experimental Group: Exparel, no opioids |
Primary outcome
Evaluation of post operative pain levels via Visual Analog Scale
Time frame: Within the first few months of study duration
The investigators aim to evaluate pain in either arm of the study, followed over a three day course. As several studies have shown pain to be wholly or mostly resolved by post-operative day three. Patients will answer questionnaire to include Visual Analog Scale for pain, and amount of pain medication taken. The Visual Analog Scale for pain ranges from a score of 0 to 10, with 0 being "no pain", 5 being "distressing pain", and 10 being "the worst pain imaginable"
1 secondary outcome
Failure of alternate pain management strategy
Time frame: Within the first few months of study duration
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 8 Apr 2026.
- Background: PubMed 25289343Al Youha S, Lalonde DH. Update/Review: changing of use of local anesthesia in the hand. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2014 Jun 6;2(5):e150. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000000095. eCollection 2014 May.
- Background: PubMed 24644417Okamura A, Meirelles LM, Fernandes CH, Raduan Neto J, Dos Santos JB, Faloppa F. Evaluation of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome treated by endoscopic technique. Acta Ortop Bras. 2014;22(1):29-33. doi: 10.1590/S1413-78522014000100005.
- Results publication: PubMed 28890331Alter TH, Ilyas AM. A Prospective Randomized Study Analyzing Preoperative Opioid Counseling in Pain Management After Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery. J Hand Surg Am. 2017 Oct;42(10):810-815. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2017.07.003. Epub 2017 Sep 8.
- Results publication: PubMed 18467932Boonstra AM, Schiphorst Preuper HR, Reneman MF, Posthumus JB, Stewart RE. Reliability and validity of the visual analogue scale for disability in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Int J Rehabil Res. 2008 Jun;31(2):165-9. doi: 10.1097/MRR.0b013e3282fc0f93.
- Results publication: PubMed 26043053Ketonis C, Ilyas AM, Liss F. Pain management strategies in hand surgery. Orthop Clin North Am. 2015 Jul;46(3):399-408, xi. doi: 10.1016/j.ocl.2015.02.008. Epub 2015 Mar 31.
- Results publication: PubMed 27390559Ketonis C, Kim N, Liss F, Zmistowski B, Matzon J, Leinberry C, Wang M, Jones C, Abboudi J, Kirkpatrick W, Ilyas AM. Wide Awake Trigger Finger Release Surgery: Prospective Comparison of Lidocaine, Marcaine, and Exparel. Hand (N Y). 2016 Jun;11(2):177-83. doi: 10.1177/1558944715627618. Epub 2016 Mar 8.
- Results publication: PubMed 11018337Svensson I, Sjostrom B, Haljamae H. Assessment of pain experiences after elective surgery. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2000 Sep;20(3):193-201. doi: 10.1016/s0885-3924(00)00174-3.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Ronald Buczek, DO principal investigator
Kettering Health Network
2 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 4 study testing Differing pain management strategy in people with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, run by Kettering Health Network at 2 sites in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 8 Apr 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 2 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this phase mean?
Phase 4 studies take place after a treatment is approved, to learn more about its long-term benefits and risks in everyday use.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Ronald Buczek, DO (937-439-6483, orthostudy2019@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Evaluation of post operative pain levels via Visual Analog Scale (time frame: Within the first few months of study duration). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03867539, which also lists 7 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 8 Apr 2026.