Uncertain effect of indomethacin on physeal growth injury. Experiments in rabbits

Growth arrest and shortening remain significant sequelae of growth-plate injuries. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, known to inhibit callus and bone formation, may be useful to diminish callus-induced growth effects after epiphyseal fracture. In this study, we created a longitudinal osteotomy of the medial distal femoral condyle in 54 rabbits to model a Type IV epiphyseal fracture. We treated half with indomethacin and half with normal saline for 6 weeks. Nineteen animals of each group developed deformity, with indomethacin-treated animals averaging only slightly less angulation than the controls. However, the mean femoral shortening was less in the indomethacin-treated animals as compared with the controls.