Tourniquet Exposure and Risk of Chronic Pain After Severe Limb Trauma

Severe limb trauma often requires the use of a tourniquet to stop life-threatening bleeding. While tourniquets are essential for saving lives, prolonged interruption of blood flow may lead to tissue ischemia, nerve injury, and inflammatory responses that could contribute to the development of chronic pain. The TOURNI-PAIN Study is a prospective observational study designed to investigate whether the duration of tourniquet use during the treatment of severe limb injuries is associated with an increased risk of persistent pain after recovery. The study will enroll adult patients with major upper or lower limb trauma who required tourniquet application in the prehospital or hospital setting. Researchers will collect information about the duration and characteristics of tourniquet use, details of the injury, surgical treatment, and recovery. Participants will be followed for up to 6 months after injury to assess pain levels, possible neuropathic pain, functional recovery, and quality of life. The goal of this research is to better understand whether longer tourniquet exposure increases the risk of long-term pain. The findings may help improve trauma care practices by balancing the life-saving benefits of hemorrhage control with strategies that minimize long-term complications and improve recovery for patients with severe limb injuries.