The Effect of NSAID Use in the Acute Phase of Skeletally Immature Bone Healing: A Prospective Study

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are effective in controlling both post-operative pain and pain associated with orthopaedic injuries, particularly in the pediatric population. Additionally, use of NSAIDs for pain control in this setting avoids the use of narcotic pain medications, the adverse effects of which are well known.

Recent research has suggested a possible association between use of NSAIDs and impaired fracture healing in the skeletally mature, or adult, population. Several adult mammal studies have demonstrated inhibition of bony repair with administration of NSAIDs. Yet, other adult animal studies have failed to find the same effect. Clinical data in the adult population is similarly conflicted, with some studies showing an inhibition of bone healing after posterior spinal fusion, while a larger study found no correlation. The data investigating the effects of NSAID use in adults after fracture or osteotomy is even less clear with some studies demonstrating higher rates of non-union with NSAID administration and others finding no significant effect on bone healing.

The research investigating these outcomes in the skeletally immature population is limited; one study compared administration of ketorolac versus normal saline for 7, 14 and 21 days in a juvenile rat model with a stabilized tibia fracture. They found no significant difference in strength, stiffness or histological characteristics of fracture callus between the two groups. Clinical retrospective studies of the pediatric population with regard to use of NSAIDs after posterior spinal fusion have failed to reproduce findings of inhibitory effects on bone healing. Similarly, two retrospective studies found no cases of delayed union or non-union in pediatric patients who received perioperative ketorolac around the time of operative fixation of fractures, or osteotomy. Given these results, the way in which and the degree to which NSAIDs perturb the inflammatory mileu during the acute phase of healing is potentially distinct from the effects on bone healing in the skeletally mature.

There have been no clinical prospective, randomized studies to evaluate the effect, if any, that NSAIDs have on bone healing in the skeletally immature patient population. The investigators hypothesize that NSAID administration in the acute phase of bone healing, whether it be a fracture or osteotomy, will not result in delayed union or non-union as compared to patients who take acetaminophen for pain control during this same time period.

Inclusion criteria

• • Male aged 16 years or less or female aged 14 years or less

• Open physis on radiographs
• Fracture undergoing closed treatment or operative treatment or patient undergoing elective osteotomy

Exclusion criteria

• • Regular use of NSAIDs

• Allergy to NSAIDs
• Inability to take breakthrough medications due side effects or allergy
• Systemic illness
• Renal impairment
• Liver disease
• Polytrauma
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Regular use of corticosteroids
• History of any skeletal dysplasia
• History of neuromuscular disorder
• History of bleeding disorder
• History of liver disorder
• Pathologic fracture
• Closed physes
• Male greater than 16 years old
• Female greater than 14 years old
• Pregnant or possibly pregnant females based on report and last menstrual period