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FDG PET/MR Imaging for Persistent Post-Surgical Pain

This study is looking at whether a special type of scan, called a PET/MRI, can help doctors find the exact source of chronic pain. You would receive an intravenous (into the vein) injection of Fludeoxyglucose F 18, a diagnostic agent, before the scan. The goal is to see if this imaging method can accurately pinpoint areas of inflammation that are causing pain, which could lead to better pain treatment. Researchers will compare the scan results of people with persistent pain to healthy volunteers. This is an observational study, meaning you won't receive a new treatment, but your pain will be monitored. About 128 people will participate, and the study will last up to 12 months. The study is currently unclear on its recruitment status.

Study design
This is an observational study involving approximately 128 participants. It aims to compare imaging results between people with chronic pain and healthy volunteers.
What's involved
You would undergo PET/MRI scans (and potentially PET/CT scans) at baseline, 12 months post-op, and 18 months post-op. You would be on study for up to 12 months.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your pain levels and scan results will be measured at baseline (6 months post-op), 12 months post-op, and 18 months post-op.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06171659

FDG PET/MR Imaging of Peripheral Pain Generators

Recruiting
Not specifiedAges 18–85Observational
University of Wisconsin, Madison
~128 participants
Updated 2026-07-17 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:FDG radiotracerPET/MRIPET/CT imaging

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Change in SUVmax (chronic pain)
Measured over baseline (6 months post-op), 12 months post-op, 18 months post-op
+2 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Pain
Nociceptive Pain

Explore related trials

Nociceptive PainPain

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Wisconsin1

Study leadership

  • Sandip Biswal, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Wisconsin, Madison

Who to contact

Radiology Studies
[email protected]
608-282-8349
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

18-85 years old
Presents with persistent pain with pain score of ≥4 on Numerical Rating Scale \[0:10\] for at least 6 months following joint arthroplasty or arthroscopy.
Able and willing to provide informed consent
Willing and able to undergo PET/MRI (arthroplasty and arthroscopy participants) and PET/CT (arthroplasty participants only)
18-85 years old
Asymptomatic (pain score of ≤2 on the NRS) for at least 6 months following joint arthroplasty or arthroscopy.
Able and willing to provide informed consent
Willing and able to undergo PET/MRI

Exclusion

Inability to understand and communicate with the investigators to complete the study-related questionnaires.
Any co-morbidity which results in severe systemic disease limiting function as defined by the American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) physical status classification \> 3, such as the presence of current or past (6 months) pulmonary, hepatic, renal disease, arthritis, hematopoietic, and neurological diseases not related to chronic pain.
Pregnant or breastfeeding. (Individuals with childbearing potential will be asked to verbally confirm they are not pregnant. If they cannot confirm, they will have a urine pregnancy test either at the imaging study visit or within 7 days prior to the imaging study visit.)
Subject with contraindication(s) to or inability to undergo PET/MRI
Current diagnosis of malignancy of any kind. Participants in remission for at least two years and not undergoing any treatment may be considered per investigator discretion
Current enrollment in a scientific interventional or treatment study.
Subject unable or unwilling to provide informed consent

What this trial measures

  • Change in SUVmax (chronic pain)baseline (6 months post-op), 12 months post-op, 18 months post-op
  • SUVmax (chronic pain vs healthy)baseline
  • Location of Pain Compared to Target-to-Background (TTB) or SUVmaxbaseline