Celecoxib as Heterotopic Ossification Prophylaxis in Total Ankle Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background: This study aimed to determine whether prophylactic celecoxib reduces the prevalence of radiographic heterotopic ossification (HO) following total ankle arthroplasty (TAA). Secondary aims included evaluating its effect on the severity of radiographic HO and its association with patient-re...

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Main Authors: Caroline Cristofaro BSc(Hons), MBChB, Mohammad Athar MD, MSc, FRCSC, Ellie B. Pinsker PhD, Brad Meulenkamp MD, MSc, FRCSC, Timothy R. Daniels MD, FRCSC, Mansur M. Halai BSc(Hons), MBCBhB, MRCA, MRCS, FRCS(Tr&Orth)
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2025-05-01
Series:Foot & Ankle Orthopaedics
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/24730114251337748
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Summary:Background: This study aimed to determine whether prophylactic celecoxib reduces the prevalence of radiographic heterotopic ossification (HO) following total ankle arthroplasty (TAA). Secondary aims included evaluating its effect on the severity of radiographic HO and its association with patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Methods: This retrospective cohort study included all patients who underwent a primary TAA between April 2019 to May 2023 at a single academic institution. The intervention group was composed of patients prescribed 4 weeks of celecoxib postoperatively and was compared to controls who received no celecoxib. Radiographs at ≥8 months were reviewed and graded using the modified Brooker classification for severity of HO. Ankle Osteoarthritis Score pain and disability, 36-Item Short Form Health Survey physical function and mental health were assessed at follow-up. Results: One hundred seventy-nine patients, 95 males (53.1%) and 84 females (46.9%), were included. The mean age was 65.8 ± 9.6 years. Ninety patients (50.3%) received celecoxib and 89 (49.7%) did not. The prevalence of HO at the time of follow-up (1.2 ± 0.4 years) was 53 (29.6%) with grade 0, 78 (43.6%) with grade 1, 21 (11.7%) with grade 2, 21 (11.7%) with grade 3, and 6 (3.4%) with grade 4. Patients who did not receive celecoxib were significantly more likely to develop HO and experience greater severity of HO, with odds ratios of 2.19 (95% CI 1.10-4.33, P  < .05) and 2.51 (95% CI 1.43-4.44, P  < .05), respectively. No significant differences in patient-reported outcomes were observed between groups. Conclusion: Celecoxib for 4 weeks postoperatively may reduce the risk and severity of HO after TAA without affecting patient-reported outcomes. HO prophylaxis did not have a statistically significant impact on PROMs. Celecoxib for HO prophylaxis can be considered following primary TAA while balancing the risks of side effects. Level of Evidence: Level III, (retrospective cohort study).
ISSN:2473-0114