EXPAREL for Pain Relief in Knee Replacement

(CRS-121 Trial)

This trial tests the safety and effectiveness of two methods for using the anesthesia medication EXPAREL during knee replacement surgery. The goal is to determine if both methods offer the same level of pain relief post-surgery. Participants will report their pain levels and any pain medication used. This trial suits individuals with degenerative osteoarthritis who are scheduled for a full knee replacement. As a Phase 4 trial, the treatment is already FDA-approved and proven effective, aiming to understand how it benefits more patients.

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot use marijuana or opioids 30 days before the surgery. It's best to discuss your specific medications with the study team.

Research has shown that EXPAREL is generally safe for use in knee replacement surgery. One study found that patients tolerate EXPAREL, a long-lasting pain medication, well when combined with another anesthetic, meaning it usually doesn't cause serious side effects. Another study demonstrated that patients using EXPAREL experienced similar safety outcomes to those using standard pain relief methods, with only a few minor side effects reported. These findings suggest that EXPAREL is a safe option for managing pain during knee replacement surgeries.¹²³⁴⁵

Researchers are excited about the use of EXPAREL for knee replacement pain relief because it offers a novel approach to anesthesia delivery. Unlike traditional methods such as Local Infiltration Analgesia (LIA), EXPAREL is administered through an innovative surgeon technique called the IPSA Block, which targets the knee joint more directly. This could potentially enhance pain management and improve recovery times for patients undergoing knee replacement surgery. By incorporating EXPAREL, the treatment aims to provide longer-lasting pain relief with a single administration, reducing the need for additional pain medications post-surgery.

Research has shown that EXPAREL, a type of anesthesia, helps manage pain after knee replacement surgery. In this trial, participants in Group 1 will receive the IPSA Block technique with EXPAREL, which includes the standard Local Infiltration Analgesia (LIA). Studies have found that EXPAREL can reduce the need for strong painkillers like opioids and may even shorten hospital stays. Specifically, one study found that EXPAREL provided similar pain relief to standard methods while helping patients move sooner and leave the hospital earlier. Another study noted that patients experienced little pain in the first two days after surgery with EXPAREL. Overall, EXPAREL appears to reduce pain and improve recovery after knee surgery.¹⁴⁵⁶⁷