THE EFFECT OF LOW-DOSE DICLOFENAC SODIUM ADMINISTERED LOCALLY ON HETEROTOPIC BONE-FORMATION IN RATS

The effect of a low dose of diclofenac sodium, administered locally, o n heterotopic bone formation in rats was investigated, Heterotopic bon e was induced by implantation of demineralised bone matrix into the gl uteal muscles. Diclofenac was released continuously for 2 weeks from m icro-osmotic pumps for each demineralised bone implant in the rats, Ea ch had a control implant in the opposite gluteal muscle to which salin e was released in the same way, The yield of new woven bone was determ ined after 4 weeks by measuring the ash-weights of the implants. Those of the diclofenac samples were significantly decreased compared to th e controls. These results suggest that a low dose of diclofenac given locally decreases heterotopic bone formation in rats.