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

Orthopedic trauma patients often face challenges in both physical and psychological recovery following injury. Pain control is difficult, as effective pain relief must be balanced against the risks of opioid dependence. In addition, rates of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are high in this population, further complicating recovery. These overlapping challenges highlight the need for new approaches that address both pain and mental health outcomes. Ketamine, a commonly used anesthetic, has properties that may benefit trauma patients beyond its routine role in surgery. Evidence suggests that low-dose intravenous (IV) ketamine can reduce acute postoperative pain, decrease the need for opioid medications, and have rapid effects on depressive symptoms. Some studies also indicate that ketamine may reduce PTSD-related symptoms by influencing brain pathways involved in stress and memory. However, despite these promising effects, ketamine has not been fully integrated into trauma care protocols, in part due to limited large-scale data in orthopedic populations. This single-blind randomized controlled trial is designed to evaluate whether a single intraoperative dose of IV ketamine (0.5 mg/kg) improves recovery in adults undergoing surgical fixation for musculoskeletal trauma. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either ketamine or standard anesthesia without ketamine. While the anesthesia team will be aware of group assignment to ensure patient safety, participants and postoperative care teams will remain blinded. The study will measure multiple aspects of recovery, including: Postoperative pain intensity, using a validated Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Opioid consumption during recovery, quantified from electronic medical records and converted to morphine milligram equivalents (MME). Psychological outcomes, including symptoms of depression and PTSD, assessed with the PHQ-9 and PCL-5 surveys at defined follow-up intervals. Follow-up assessments will occur at several time points after surgery, ranging from the early postoperative period (1-7 days) to longer-term recovery (up to 6 months). To accommodate patients unable to attend in-person visits, telehealth-based follow-up is available. By focusing on both physical and psychological outcomes, this trial aims to determine whether ketamine can serve as a dual-purpose intervention in orthopedic trauma care. Results will provide evidence on the feasibility and potential benefits of incorporating ketamine into standard surgical practice for patients with severe musculoskeletal injuries.