Prevention of heterotopic ossification in high-risk patients with total hip arthroplasty: the experience of a combined therapeutic protocol.
The combination of radiotherapy and indomethacin for the prevention of heterotopic ossification (HO) in high-risk patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) has not been reported. The aim of the present study was to present the experience of our department with this combined therapeutic protocol. Fifty-four patients who underwent THA received a single dose of 7 Gy of postoperative radiotherapy and 75 mg of indomethacin for 15 days. Patients were analyzed for clinical and radiographical evidence of HO development at 1 year postoperatively. The overall radiographical incidence of HO was 20.4% (95% CI 10.6-33.5%), while only 1 patient with clinically significant HO was seen. Patients with secondary arthritis due to congenital hip disease had a statistically significantly higher incidence of HO compared with those with osteoarthrosis. The clinical assessment with the Merle d'Aubigné score showed that patients with radiographic documentation of HO had a lower mean score compared with those with no evidence of HO. No treatment-related side effects were seen. Combined radiotherapy and indomethacin was effective in preventing heterotopic ossification after total hip arthroplasty. The evaluation of this efficacy compared with radiotherapy or NSAIDs alone should be the future target of larger randomized designs.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospital of Ioannina, University of Ioannina, School of Medicine, Ioannina, Greece. epakos@yahoo.gr
Emilios E
EE
Pakos
Evita J
EJ
Pitouli
Pericles G
PG
Tsekeris
Vasiliki
V
Papathanasopoulou
Kosmas
K
Stafilas
Theodore H
TH
Xenakis
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009999:Ossification, Heterotopic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011859:Radiography; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D007213:Indomethacin