Clinical trials · California
Pain clinical trials in California
We’re tracking 185 recruiting pain studies with a site in California — including Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 2/Phase 3, Phase 3 and Phase 4 studies, each written for real people, not researchers.
Recruiting studies in California
- NCT07373210Recruiting
Placebo pills for hip surgery pain in teens and young adults
This study tests whether taking placebo pills (pills with no active drug) can help manage pain after a specific hip surgery, called Bernese Periacetabular Osteotomy (PAO), in people with a hip condition called developmental dysplasia. The goal is to see if using placebos can reduce the need for pain medications and help with recovery.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 13–40 - NCT07434635RecruitingPhase 4
Atropine for pain after vitrectomy surgery
This study tests whether atropine eye drops can reduce pain and prevent scar tissue (called posterior synechiae) after vitrectomy surgery. The goal is to see if this treatment helps you recover more comfortably.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07715591Recruiting
Relaxing breathing during awake cataract surgery
This study tests a special breathing and pain education program to help you stay calm and comfortable during cataract surgery while you are awake. It may reduce pain and anxiety without extra medicine.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges Any age - NCT03952299RecruitingPhase 3
Oxybutynin patch after bladder surgery for children’s urgency pain
This study tests whether an oxybutynin skin patch after bladder surgery can reduce bladder pain and urgent, frequent urination in children. It compares symptoms after surgery to see if the patch helps more than the control plan.
Sacramento, CaliforniaAges 4–8 - NCT03230565RecruitingPhase 4
Continuous vs bolus pain medication through nerve catheter
This study compares two ways of delivering numbing pain medicine through a nerve catheter after surgery: a steady infusion versus scheduled bolus doses. It aims to see which method works better and is easier to use for post-operative pain control.
Stanford, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT03427736Recruiting
Studying pain and numbing medicines in children
This trial looks at how well different numbing and pain-relief medicines work in children during routine care. It may help doctors choose safer, better pain control for kids who need these medicines.
Stanford, CaliforniaAges birth–17 years - NCT03759028RecruitingPhase 4
Study of pain relief after elbow fracture surgery
This trial looks at how well different pain medicines work after surgery for a specific type of broken elbow bone. It may help find a safer, more comfortable pain-control plan while the fracture heals.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 4–12 - NCT03796572RecruitingPhase 4
Nerve-block pain relief after a specific elbow bone fracture
This trial studies whether a pain-relief “nerve block” with medicine helps control pain after surgery for a particular type of elbow (humerus) fracture. It may help you feel more comfortable during recovery, compared with standard pain control.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 4–12 - NCT03876054Recruiting
Tracking outcomes after Abbott neurostimulator implantation
This study follows people long-term after they get an Abbott device implanted to help with chronic pain. It aims to learn how well the therapy works in real-world care over time.
Larkspur, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04109365Recruiting
Study of epidural placement technique during labor
This trial studies an approach to placing an epidural (pain medicine placed near the spine) during early labor. It aims to improve how safely and accurately epidurals are positioned, which may help with comfort during childbirth.
Palo Alto, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04441034RecruitingPhase 4
Compare two medicines for long-term pain in real life
This trial compares two types of medicines—anti-convulsants and anti-depressants—for people with persistent pain lasting more than 3 months. It aims to find out which option works better in everyday care and for which patients.
Redwood City, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04679844Recruiting
Test bone putty for back fusion versus bone graft alternatives
This study compares a ready-to-use bone putty to standard bone graft materials (with or without your own bone) during back fusion surgery for unstable lower back problems. It looks at whether the putty works as well or better to help the bones fuse and heal.
Irvine, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04724252RecruitingPhase 2/Phase 3
Gabapentin to help children use less opioid after surgery
This study tests whether gabapentin can reduce how much opioid pain medicine children need after certain major chest or heart surgeries. If it works, it may lower opioid-related side effects while still helping with postoperative pain.
Sacramento, CaliforniaAges Up to 17 years - NCT04849455RecruitingPhase 4
Nerve-block catheters plus spinal morphine for liver surgery pain
This trial tests whether placing pain-relief catheters near the back muscle plus giving morphine into the spinal fluid can improve comfort during and after liver surgery. It may help reduce the need for stronger opioid pain medicines afterward.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04929951RecruitingPhase 1
Micro fat injection to treat shoulder arthritis
This Phase 1 study tests whether a micro-fragmented fat (MFAT) injection can reduce symptoms and improve shoulder function in people with shoulder osteoarthritis. It’s early research, so the goal is mainly to see if the treatment is safe and possibly helpful.
Stanford, CaliforniaAges 25–75 - NCT04979338RecruitingPhase 3
Opioid-sparing pain control for gender-affirming surgery
This Phase 3 study tests ways to manage pain during and after gender-affirming surgery while using less opioid medicine. It may help improve comfort after surgery and reduce opioid-related side effects.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04984291Recruiting
Study of shoulder replacement implants for eligible adults
This trial looks at a specific shoulder replacement implant and follow-up care for people who need a shoulder arthroplasty (shoulder replacement) for certain joint problems or fractures. You may be a candidate if you can take part in required visits and your shoulder muscles and bone are suitable.
Irvine, CaliforniaAges 20 years+ - NCT05245695Recruiting
Endometriosis test using deep computer learning during surgery
This trial studies whether a computer (deep neural network) can better identify endometriosis in people with long-lasting pelvic pain using information from surgery. It may help doctors sort who has endometriosis more accurately when surgery is already planned.
Burbank, CaliforniaAges 14–50 - NCT05437575RecruitingPhase 3
Testing pain medicine given before arrival to a trauma center
This study tests whether giving pain medicine soon after an injury (before you reach the trauma center) improves comfort and care. You might be eligible if you’re transported to a participating trauma center and meet specific shock and pain levels.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05504499Recruiting
Test a new implant for low back pain with mild narrowing
This trial studies a new spine implant placed between the bones to help relieve low back pain. You may be a candidate if imaging shows mild-to-moderate spinal narrowing and you’ve already tried non-surgical treatments for at least 3 months.
Santa Rosa, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05658575RecruitingPhase 2/Phase 3
Tablets to treat sudden gout flare pain
This trial studies dapansutrile tablets (OLT1177) to see how well they work for people in the first 4 days of an acute gout flare. It may help reduce pain and inflammation in the specific joint where your gout is flaring.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05737121RecruitingPhase 2
Study drug for bladder pain compared with lidocaine, heparin, or placebo
This Phase 2 trial tests VNX001 to see if it helps people with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) compared with its separate ingredients (lidocaine and heparin) or a placebo (inactive treatment). You may be eligible if you have had IC/BPS for months and recently had a moderate-to-severe bladder pain flare.
Newport Beach, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05746143RecruitingPhase 4
Zolpidem during recovery after lower-back fusion surgery
This trial studies whether taking zolpidem around the time of recovery from lower-back (lumbar) fusion surgery affects outcomes. It may help doctors understand how sleep medicine can (or can’t) support recovery in certain people.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–75 - NCT05816226RecruitingPhase 3
Topical cream for jaw joint pain
This Phase 3 study tests a skin-applied treatment (a cream or gel) to reduce pain in the jaw joint (TMJ). You may benefit if you have TMJ pain and can safely use the study medication without conflicting treatments.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18 years+
Pain trials by city in California
Where these studies are running in California
Institutions with a site for the recruiting pain studies listed above.
- Stanford University · 3 studies
- University of California San Diego · 3 studies
- Orthopaedic Institute for Children · 2 studies
- University of California, San Francisco · 2 studies
- American Institute of Research
- California Orthopedics & Spine
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Doris Stein Eye Research Center
What taking part in a pain study involves
A screening visit first
Before anything else, the study team checks whether you fit — usually a visit with some tests. You can stop at any point, and screening is typically free.
Care at a nearby site
Study visits happen at a clinic or hospital taking part. Many studies cover the cost of the study treatment and related visits, and some reimburse travel.
You stay in control
Taking part is voluntary and you can leave a study at any time, for any reason, without affecting your regular care.
The team decides eligibility
Our fit check is a helpful first read, not a decision. The study team makes the final call after reviewing your health history.
Pain trials in other states
Common questions
- Are there pain clinical trials in California?
- Yes. We're currently tracking 185 recruiting pain studies with a site in California, each rewritten in plain language so you can see what it's testing and who it's for.
- How do I find out if I qualify for a pain study in California?
- Each study lists its eligibility rules — age, diagnosis, prior treatments. On every trial page we explain these in plain language and offer a short, optional pre-screen for a fit read. The study team makes the final decision.
- Do I have to live in California to take part?
- Not necessarily. These studies have a site in California, but eligibility is about your health, not your address — some people travel to take part, and a few studies reimburse travel. The study team can tell you what's required.
- Does it cost anything to join a pain trial?
- Using Clin2 is always free. Many trials cover the study treatment and related visits; some reimburse travel. The study team explains exactly what's covered before you decide.
Not the right time?
New pain studies open in California regularly. Set up a health profile and we’ll quietly watch for studies that fit you and email you when one opens.
Clin2 helps you find and understand clinical trials and does not provide medical advice. Study data comes from ClinicalTrials.gov. Talk with your doctor about whether a specific trial is right for you.