Plain-English translation of NCT05868330 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated · Translation generated · How we translate trials
Phase 4 — The treatment has already been approved. Researchers are tracking how it works in a large number of people over time.
This trial is testing whether a single injection of Exparel (a longer-lasting numbing medication) works as well as a catheter (a small tube that delivers numbing medicine continuously) for controlling pain after shoulder replacement surgery. Both approaches use nerve blocks—a technique that numbs the shoulder area before surgery so you feel less pain afterward. The study wants to see which method works better and is safer for patients.
Shoulder replacement surgery causes significant pain after the operation, and patients typically need strong pain medications (opioids) for up to two weeks. This medication can cause nausea, vomiting, and other unwanted side effects. A longer-lasting numbing approach could reduce pain and the need for these strong medications, making recovery more comfortable.
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You will be randomly assigned to receive either a nerve catheter or a single injection of numbing medication before your shoulder surgery. If you receive the catheter, it will stay in place for 24–48 hours after surgery to deliver continuous pain relief, and you will need to learn how to remove it or have it removed at a clinic. If you receive the single injection, the numbing effect will last 12–18 hours, after which pain management will shift to other methods. Either way, you will be monitored for pain control, side effects, and satisfaction with your care during your recovery.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 21, 2026 · Not medical advice
United States
Phase
Post-approval monitoring
Sponsor
Melinda Seering
Enrollment target
~56 participants
Started
August 2024
Primary completion
October 2026
Age range
18 Years – 90 Years
Last updated on clinicaltrials.gov in November 2025.
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Central contact
Melinda Seering, MD
University of Iowa
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