Ketamine for Pain, Opioid Use, and Mental Health in Orthopedic Trauma Patients

This study is looking at whether a single dose of ketamine, given during surgery, can help adults recovering from serious orthopedic trauma. The goal is to see if ketamine reduces pain after surgery, lowers the amount of opioid pain medication needed, and improves mental health issues like depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). You might be able to join if you are an adult aged 18-65, are having surgery for a musculoskeletal (bone and muscle) trauma, and meet other specific health criteria. The study will compare patients who receive ketamine to those who receive standard general anesthesia. Researchers will measure your pain levels and mental health over several months to see if ketamine makes a difference. The current status of this study is unclear, and it plans to enroll 90 participants.

Study design
This is an interventional study that plans to enroll 90 participants. It is a single-blind randomized controlled trial, meaning some participants will receive ketamine and others will receive standard anesthesia, but you won't know which one you're getting.
What's involved
Not specified in the trial record.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your pain intensity will be measured at several points, including 1-7 days, 2-3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after your surgery.

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NCT06903819

Ketamine for Pain, Opioid Use, and Mental Health in Orthopedic Trauma Patients

Recruiting
PHASE4Ages 18–65InterventionalTreatment
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
~90 participants
Updated 2026-03-24 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Ketaminestandard general anesthesia

At a glance

Recruiting sites
2 of 2 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Pain Intensity (VAS)
Measured over 1-7 days, 2-3 weeks (±1 week), 6 weeks (±2 weeks), 3 months (±3 weeks), and 6 months (±5 weeks) postoperatively.
Orthopedic Trauma Surgery Patients
Postoperative Pain
Opioid Use
Depression
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
2 sites across 1 states
Texas2
  • Max Evan Davis, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Department of Orthopaedic Surgery,

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Adults aged 18-65
Undergoing acute operative fixation for musculoskeletal trauma
Injury Severity Score (ISS) greater than 15
Ability to provide informed consent (or consent provided by a legally authorized representative)

Exclusion

Age under 18 or over 65
Use of ketamine for preoperative or postoperative sedation
Known allergy or contraindication to ketamine
Prior unsuccessful ketamine therapy for major depressive disorder (MDD) or PTSD
Severe psychiatric conditions or psychotic features
History of dementia or glaucoma
Currently engaged in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy or PTSD psychotherapy started within the past 3 months
  • Pain Intensity (VAS)1-7 days, 2-3 weeks (±1 week), 6 weeks (±2 weeks), 3 months (±3 weeks), and 6 months (±5 weeks) postoperatively.

    Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), a validated 0-100 continuous scale (or 0-10 categorical equivalent). Higher scores indicate greater pain. This outcome evaluates whether intraoperative ketamine reduces postoperative pain compared to standard anesthesia.