- Adult General:
- Patient Guides
- News & FAQs
- Discussions
- Fractures
- Video
I see ads on TV for COX-2 drugs. These are supposed to help with arthritis pain. My 83-year-old mother broke her hip last month and has pain everyday from her arthritis. Can she take these drugs?
COX-2 inhibitors are popular in the treatment of arthritis because they reduce inflammation and decrease pain without causing stomach upset. However, many studies in animals and humans show that some anti-inflammatory drugs delay or reduce bone healing after fractures.
Indomethacin, aspirin, and ibuprofen are anti-inflammatory drugs often taken for arthritis pain. They can decrease the amount of bone that grows in and around joint implants. If your mother had a total hip replacement after her hip fracture, these drugs may not be advised.
Be sure and check with her doctor about the best drug to help with her arthritis. Ask about an anti-inflammatory that won't affect the healing bone.
Laurence E. Dahners, MD, and Brian H. Mullis, MD. Effects of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs on Bone Formation and Soft-Tissue Healing. In Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. May/June 2004. Vol. 12. No. 3. Pp. 139-143.
Disclaimer
The information on this website is not intended to replace the advice or care from a healthcare provider. The information on this website is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments, or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visiting with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your healthcare provider because of any information you obtain on this website. Discuss any activities presented in this website with your healthcare provider before engaging in the activity.
