Benefits of Prolonged Postoperative Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitor Administration on Total Knee Arthroplasty Recovery : A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of a selective cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor administered in 107 patients for 6 weeks after total knee arthroplasty was done to determine any benefits. All patients received celecoxib preoperatively and during hospitalization. At hospital discharge, patients were randomized to receive celecoxib or placebo for 6 weeks. Narcotic use, knee flexion, Knee Society Score, Oxford Knee Score, and Short-Form 12 scores were determined preoperatively and at postoperative intervals to 1 year. Visual analog scale scores documented pain at rest, at night, and with activities. The celecoxib group used fewer narcotics and had significantly better visual analog scale scores, knee flexion, Knee Society Score scores, Oxford Knee Score scores, and Short-Form 12 physical composite scores than the placebo group. Knee flexion remained significantly improved through 1 year. These results demonstrate that patients who took celecoxib for 6 weeks after total knee arthroplasty had a less painful and more rapid recovery.