Gebuhr P, Soelberg M, Orsnes T, Wilbek H
Department of Orthopedics, Hvidovre University Hospital, Denmark.
Acta Orthop Scand. 1991 Jun;62(3):226-9. doi: 10.3109/17453679108993597.
The effect of naproxen on heterotopic ossification after total hip replacement was studied in a randomized, double-blind trial. Twenty-eight patients received 250 mg naproxen thrice daily for 4 weeks postoperatively starting on the morning of the operation while 27 control patients received a placebo. Three months after the operation, 13 patients in the control group had heterotopic ossification compared with 4 patients in the group that received naproxen; and after 1 year, the figures were 15 and 4, respectively (P less than 0.01). Three control patients had severe ossifications. We conclude that naproxen given for 4 weeks is sufficient to decrease the incidence of heterotopic ossification after cemented total hip replacement.
