Preventive effects of ibuprofen on periarticular heterotopic ossification after total hip arthroplasty. A randomized double-blind prospective study of treatment time.

We determined the efficacy and the minimum treatment time necessary for prophylaxis with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for periarticular heterotopic ossification (HO) after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Using a double-blind placebo controlled design, 144 patients operated on with total hip arthroplasty for primary arthrosis were treated postoperatively with (1) ibuprofen for 3 weeks, (2) ibuprofen for 1 week and placebo for the next 2 weeks or (3) placebo for 3 weeks. Radiographic occurrence of periarticular heterotopic ossification and complications of the treatment were recorded for the first year. Both ibuprofen-treated groups showed significantly less HO than the placebo-treated group. There was no difference in HO between the patients treated for 8 or 21 days postoperatively. Both 8 and 21 days of treatment with ibuprofen following THA effectively prevents clinically significant degrees of HO. No serious short-term complications of the treatment were noted.

Mineralization defect but no effect on hypercalcemia during clodronate treatment in secondary hyperparathyroidism.

In four patients with severe secondary hyperparathyroidism, treatment with clodronate caused no decrease in serum calcium. In one of the patients treatment for seven months was associated with a severe mineralization defect which was not caused by aluminium. This lesion was reversible upon termination of clodronate treatment. In a single patient without hyperparathyroidism, a precipitous decrease in serum calcium was observed due to clodronate. However, long-term treatment with clodronate did not ameliorate ectopic calcification in this patient. It is concluded that in severe secondary hyperparathyroidism, clodronate does not always decrease serum calcium. Our experience suggest that clodronate like other bisphosphonates may inhibit bone mineralization.

Calcium acetate versus calcium carbonate as phosphorus binders in patients on chronic haemodialysis: a controlled study.

The first reported double-blind cross-over comparison between the phosphorus binders calcium carbonate and calcium acetate was undertaken in 15 stable patients on chronic maintenance haemodialysis. Detailed registration of diet and analysis of the protein catabolic rate suggested an unchanged phosphorus intake during the study. It was found that predialytic serum phosphate concentration was significantly decreased by 0.11 mmol/l (0.34 mg/dl) (P = 0.021, 95% confidence limits 0.02-0.21 mmol/l; 0.06-0.65 mg/dl) during calcium acetate treatment. The calcium phosphate product was insignificantly decreased during treatment with calcium acetate whereas we could not exclude the possibility that calcium concentration had increased.

Nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs prevent the recurrence of heterotopic ossification after excision.

The prophylactic effect of nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs on the recurrence of high-grade periarticular heterotopic ossification after resection was studied in ten patients operated on for loosening of one or both components of a cemented total hip prosthesis. These drugs, given at a standard dosage for 1-3 weeks after surgery, prevented the recurrence of heterotopic ossification. In some patients the range of motion of their joint increased following surgery, while it remained unaffected in the majority. At follow-up 2-5 years after surgery, all patients walked well and there were no clinical or radiographs signs of loosening of the prosthetic components. It is concluded that treatment with NSAIDs following resection of periarticular heterotopic ossification prevents recurrence.

Periarticular heterotopic ossification after total hip arthroplasty for primary coxarthrosis.

Periarticular heterotopic ossification (PHO) is a common roentgenographic finding, occurring in more than two-thirds of patients after total hip arthroplasty (THA) for coxarthrosis. In the present study, 56 patients treated with bilateral THA were analyzed to determine the correlation between heterotopic ossification on the two sides. A strong correlation was found between the grade of PHO on the two sides: patients who developed severe PHO after the first THA invariably developed considerable PHO after surgery on the other side. The incidence and grade of PHO were higher in men than in women.

Prevention of heterotopic ossification by nonsteroid antiinflammatory drugs after total hip arthroplasty.

The effect of three weeks of postoperative treatment with indomethacin or ibuprofen on the development of periarticular heterotopic ossification (PHO) after bilateral total hip arthroplasty (THA) was investigated. Widespread PHO did not occur in 31 patients who had been treated with indomethacin or ibuprofen after both operations. Thirty-eight patients had been treated after one but not the other THA. Widespread PHO occurred in 14 of 38 untreated THA, but was not found after THA on the treated side. These findings are indicative of an inhibitory effect of nonsteroid antiinflammatory drugs on the development of PHO, since the development of severe heterotopic ossification is strongly correlated between the two sides after bilateral THA.

Prevention of periarticular heterotopic ossification following total hip arthroplasty. Clinical experience with indomethacin and ibuprofen.

Prophylactic treatment with indomethacin or ibuprofen to prevent periarticular heterotopic ossification (PHO) was investigated in a consecutive series of 200 total hip replacements (THR) performed for primary coxarthrosis in 170 patients. No widespread PHO (grades III and IV) occurred in 166 THR treated with indomethacin or ibuprofen from the 1st to the 21st postoperative day. Only one patient exhibited moderate (grade-II) ossification. In contrast, the incidence of PHO grades III and IV was found to be high (23%) in the 35 THR for which the patients did not receive prophylaxis according to intention. It was concluded that 3 weeks' postoperative treatment with indomethacin or ibuprofen is sufficient to prevent the development of clinically significant heterotopic ossification.