PREVENTION OF PERIARTICULAR HETEROTOPIC OSSIFICATION AFTER ENDOPROSTHETIC HIP-JOINT REPLACEMENT BY MEANS OF DICLOFENAC

This prospective study involves 644 patients who received ossification prophylaxis by means of the drug diclofenac after implantation (87.5% ) or revision (12.5%) of a total hip endoprosthesis between August 199 2 and June 1994. One hundred patients (15.5%) stopped the treatment be cause of side-effects of the drug, and medication was stopped when gas trointestinal troubles occurred. The follow-up examination after 6 mon ths revealed ossification of HO degree 1 according to Brooker in 13.8% of cases, of degree 2 in 4.8%, and of degree 3 in 1.4% of cases. Seve re HO of degree 4 was not observed at all, and 80% of the patients exh ibited no ossification what ever. Thus, in comparison to our own studi es and to the literature, diclofenac must be regarded as an extremely effective drug for the prevention of ossification.