Indomethacin for prevention of ectopic ossification in cementless hip arthroplasties. A prospective 1-year study of 100 cases.

In a prospective series of 100 patients we investigated the effect of indomethacin for 6 weeks in the prophylaxis of ectopic bone formation in hip replacements with cementless fixation. Indomethacin prophylaxis reduced (P < 0.0001) ectopic bone formation compared to a retrospective control group of equal size. Side-effects occurred in one-fifth of the patients, but most of these could continue the medication for at least 4 weeks.