Effects of a cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitor on fracture healing in a rat model

Since the advent of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) inhibitors, little research has been done on the effects of these medications on fracture healing. In the study reported here, we sought to determine whether a COX-2 inhibitor, celecoxib, affects strength and amount of healing callus formed after a fracture. Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were evaluated for impairment of fracture healing with celecoxib use. Compared with controls, celecoxib-treated rats had a significant decrease in force required for refracture (P = .0199). We do not recommend routine use of celecoxib in postfracture pain control, particularly when fracture union is tenuous.