Is Ibuprofen Helpful After Hip Replacement Surgery?

Although ibuprofen decreased the risk for ectopic bone formation, it had no effect on long-term pain or disability in this randomized, controlled study.

After total hip replacement (THR), ectopic bone forms frequently in the surrounding soft tissues, but it is unclear whether this causes long-term pain. Postoperative administration of ibuprofen reduces the incidence of ectopic bone formation. Australian researchers sought to determine whether postoperative ibuprofen, by preventing ectopic bone formation, reduces long-term pain and disability after THR.

Surgeons randomized 902 patients to receive either placebo or ibuprofen (1200 mg daily) for 14 days, starting 24 hours after surgery. Although X-rays showed that ibuprofen reduced the incidence of ectopic bone formation by 31%, there were no significant differences between groups in hip pain or physical function 6 to 12 months after surgery. I…

Reviewing Author

Keith I. Marton, MD

Is Ibuprofen Helpful After Hip Replacement Surgery?

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Reviewing Author