NAC-REPAIR for Post-surgical Pain after Hand/Foot-Ankle Surgery

This study is investigating if N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a capsule taken by mouth, can help reduce pain and opioid use, and improve recovery after common outpatient hand or foot/ankle surgeries. You would take NAC or a matching placebo (an inactive capsule) twice daily for 15 days, starting the evening before your surgery. The study aims to see how well NAC works compared to placebo and to understand if it affects inflammation. Researchers will measure your pain levels, how well you can use your hand or foot, and your opioid use. This study is currently recruiting about 80 participants aged 18 to 75 who are having elective outpatient hand/upper-extremity or foot/ankle surgery.

Study design
This is a single-site, double-blind (meaning neither you nor your doctor will know if you're getting NAC or placebo), randomized trial with about 80 participants.
What's involved
You would take capsules twice daily for 15 days, complete daily electronic diaries for 14 days after surgery, and have small blood draws before surgery and at two follow-up visits.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your pain interference will be measured at baseline, 2-4 weeks after surgery, and 12 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.

NCT07227649

NAC-REPAIR for Post-surgical Pain

Not Yet Recruiting
PHASE2Ages 18–75InterventionalTreatment
University of Arizona
~80 participants
Updated 2026-07-17 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:NACNAC 0mg/day (Placebo)

At a glance

Recruiting sites
0 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
PROMIS pain interference
Measured over baseline; post-op (2-4 weeks); post-op (12 weeks);
Carpal Tunnel Surgery
Trigger Finger Disorder
De Quervain Syndrome
Guyon's Canal
Dupuytren Contracture
Morton Neuroma
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Plantar Fasciopathy
Peroneal Nerve Entrapment

NCT07227649

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.

  • Banner Health

    Tucson, Arizonastudy coordinator listed

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

Valerio Tonelli Enrico, PT, PhD, MSCE
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

Elective outpatient hand/upper-extremity or foot/ankle surgery (single site; same-day discharge)
Baseline visit feasible ≤14 days pre-op
Can complete surveys/blood draw
Provides informed consent
Willing to follow dosing schedule and avoid restricted supplements/meds

Exclusion

Allergy to NAC/capsule components □ NAC or high-dose antioxidants in past 14 days (unwilling to stop)
Chronic daily opioids ≥3 months or OUD/maintenance therapy □ Pregnant/breastfeeding or no contraception as applicable
Daily nitrates (nitroglycerin/isosorbide) □ Planned \>24h admission, multistage/trauma case □ Other interventional study within 30 days
Unable to swallow capsules / malabsorption surgery affecting oral meds
  • PROMIS pain interferencebaseline; post-op (2-4 weeks); post-op (12 weeks);

    Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System - Pain Interference T-score metric: mean = 50, SD = 10 Higher scores = worse outcome (greater pain interference with daily activities, social, cognitive, emotional, and physical functioning)