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Erector Spinae Plane Block for Postoperative Pain After Lumbar Fusion

This study is looking at different ways to manage pain after lumbar spinal fusion surgery (surgery to join bones in your lower back). Researchers want to see if a method called Erector Spinae Plane Block (ESPB) is better at reducing pain and opioid use compared to subcutaneous anesthesia (local anesthesia injected under the skin). ESPB involves injecting local anesthesia along the muscles and bones in your back, guided by a special X-ray. The study will measure your pain levels and how much opioid medication you use after surgery. You may be able to join if you are at least 18 years old and are scheduled for a one or two-level lumbar spinal fusion.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 66 participants. It compares two different anesthesia procedures.
What's involved
Not specified in the trial record.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your health status and disability will be measured at 3 months, and opioid usage will be tracked for 2 weeks after surgery.

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

NCT06528288

Effects of Erector Spinae Plane Block on Postoperative Pain Following Lumbar Fusion Surgery

Recruiting
NAAges 18+InterventionalTreatment
University of Massachusetts, Worcester
~66 participants
Updated 2026-03-16 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Erector Spinae Plane BlockSubcutaneous Anesthesia

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
MOS 36 Item Short Form Health Status Survey (SF-36)
Measured over 3 months
+2 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Fusion of Spine, Lumbar Region
Anesthesia, Local
Pain, Postoperative
Opioid Use

Explore related trials

Lumbar spinal fusion

NCT06528288

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • UMass Chan Medical School/UMass Memorial Medical Center

    Worcester, Massachusettsstudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

Study leadership

  • Michael Stauff, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · UMass Chan Medical School

Who to contact

Michael P Stauff, MD
[email protected]
508-334-9764
Email the study team

Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

The individual has signed and dated a study specific informed consent form approved by the Institutional Review Board at UMMHC.
The individual is at least 18 years of age.
The individual is skeletally mature (over the age of 18).
The patient is scheduled for a one or two level lumbar spinal fusion.

Exclusion

Patients unable to consent for themselves.
Pregnant women.
Non-English speaking subjects.
Prisoners.
Spinal fusion procedures for a diagnosis of fracture, tumor, and/or infection.
Patients who have used greater than 150 morphine milligram equivalents of opioids in the month prior to their operation.
Patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater.

What this trial measures

  • MOS 36 Item Short Form Health Status Survey (SF-36)3 months

    Questionnaire related to a patient's general health, bodily pain, physical function, and mental health. Scoring includes eight scaled scores, which are the weighted sums of the questions in their section. Scales are converted into a 0-100 scale. The lower the score the more disability. The higher the score the more functionality and therefore indicating better outcome.

  • Oswestry Disability Index3 months

    Questionnaire related to a patient's back pain and its impact on their day-to-day activities. There are 10 questions, each weighted from 0-5 points. The point total of each question is added together to give a final scaled score ranging from 0-50. Lower scores near 0 are indicative of better outcome and less disability, while higher scores near 50 indicate worse outcomes and more disability.

  • Postoperative Opioid Usage2 weeks

    This is a tracking sheet for the amount of opioid medications used in the first 2 weeks of postoperative recovery.