CORA ABSTRACT #IV - 2

THE EFFECT OF ROFECOXIB ON FRACTURE HEALING IN RATS

C. Graham

W. Dust

The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is widespread in the management of many orthopaedic conditions. The inhibitory effect that NSAIDs have on bone formation is exploited in prevention of heterotopic ossification. In the last decade, COX-2 inhibitors have emerged as effective NSAIDs with a safer side effect profile. There are no published studies have of the effect of these popular drugs on fracture healing.

Our hypothesis is that Rofecoxib inhibits fracture healing in rats and this effect is equivalent to that of Indomethacin and greater than placebo.

Closed femur fractures will be performed using a special jig in 30 Sprague-Dawley rats. The fractures will not be immobilized. Each group of 10 rats will be fed Rofecoxib, Indomethacin, or placebo and sacrificed at six weeks. Fracture healing will be assessed histologically and radiographically between groups.