PENG Block: Continuous Infusion vs. Programmed Intermittent Bolus in Neck of Femur Fracture

Launched by UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK · Jun 22, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at the best way to manage pain after hip fracture surgery, specifically fractures near the top of the thigh bone (called the neck of femur). It compares two methods of delivering local anesthetic—a medicine that numbs the area—through a nerve block called the PENG block. One method gives the medicine continuously through a small tube, while the other gives doses at set times. The goal is to find out which method provides better pain relief after surgery.

The trial is open to adults over 18 who speak English and are having a specific type of hip surgery called hemiarthroplasty for a fractured neck of femur. To join, patients need to be able to give written consent and weigh more than 50 kilograms. People who have certain conditions like chronic pain, long-term opioid use, infections near the injection site, allergies to anesthetics, or blood clotting problems cannot take part. If you join, you will receive one of the two pain relief methods after your surgery, and the medical team will monitor how well it controls your pain. This study aims to help improve pain management for future patients with hip fractures.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • English-speaking
• • over the age of 18 years
• • hemiarthroplasty for fractured neck of femur
• • able to provide written consent.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • under 50kg body weight.
• • unable to provide consent due to incapacity
• • pregnant women
• • vulnerable adults under state guardianship
• • Patients with pre-existing chronic pain disorders or with a history of long-term opioid use
• • those with contraindications to a peripheral nerve block such as local site infection, allergy to local anaesthetic or those who are coagulopathic