Indomethacin Prophylaxis for Heterotopic Ossification After Surgical Treatment of Elbow Trauma

Indomethacin Prophylaxis for Heterotopic Ossification After Surgical Treatment of Elbow Trauma: A Randomized Prospective Double-blinded Study.

Patients who present to our institution with a traumatic injury to their elbow who need operative management will be randomized to one of two groups; a treatment arm and a control arm. The treatment arm will receive a three-week postoperative course of indomethacin while the control group will not. We will follow both groups to assess whether or not indomethacin prophylaxis affects the rate of heterotopic ossification.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Terrible Triad
• Radial head fracture surgical treatment
• Monteggia and Trans-olecranon Fracture Dislocations
• Distal Biceps Tendon Injuries
• Distal Humerus Fractures
• Coronoid Fractures
• Capitellar-Trochlear fractures
• Olecranon Fractures

Exclusion Criteria:

• Associated Traumatic Brain Injury
• Burn Injuries associated with elbow trauma
• History of Gastric Ulcers
• Documented allergies to any Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
• Severe Asthma
• Previous operative fixation to affected elbow
• Participation in other research study
• Inability to speak / understand English