Perspective randomized control study on different NSAIDs drugs after rotator cuff repair

Abstract

To compare the effectiveness and safety of ibuprofen, celecoxib and flurbiprofen axetil after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. From Dec., 2012 to Dec., 2012, 63 arthroscopy rotator cuff repaired patients in Department of Orthopedics&Traumatology, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, were selected and divided randomized into 3 groups:flurbiprofen axetil, ibuprofen and celecoxib. Each group had 21 patients. All groups take drugs 5 days continuously after operation. In first five days postoperatively, visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to compare pain alleviation. The side effects were assessed among three groups. VAS, Shoulder evaluation functional score, range of shoulder forward elevation, external rotation and internal rotation were recorded, compared between the same patients preoperatively and postoperatively and compared also among three groups. Pain was relieved postoperatively with time being in all patients. From 4 day postoperatively, flurbiprofen axetil showed significant difference on pain relieving compared with ibuprofen and celecoxib (P<0.05). Side effects of ibuprofen, celecoxib and flurbiprofen axetil was 33.3%, 14.3% and 9.5% separately. No significant difference was found among three groups. Preoperatively, VAS=7.2, SST=6.5, Constant=67.6, UCLA=17; FE=132.6°, ER=37.7°, IR=L1on average. One year postoperatively, in ibuprofen, celecoxib and flurbiprofen axetil group, VAS was 2.0, 2.1, 1.9; SST was 9.2, 8.5, 10.5; Constant was 82.7, 91.2, 90.5; UCLA was 29.9, 33.2, 30.3; FE was 151.2°, 150.0°, 160.3°, ER was 49.2°, 50.7°, 56.7°; IR was ip to T12, T12, T8 level separately. All patients showed significant improvement on VAS, function evaluation score and range of motion one year postoperatively and no significant difference were found among three groups. Flurbiprofen axetil showed better result compared with ibuprofen and celecoxib on pain control, although all three COX inhibitors are highly-efficient and safe for rotator cuff repaired patients. There is no significant difference among three groups according to side effects and no delayed on tendon healing.