SynthesisJournal of orthopaedic surgery and research2024
Effectiveness of indomethacin in preventing Heterotopic Ossification: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Synthesis in Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed.
- Recent advances in carbonyl infused bis-pyrazoles: relevance, synthetic developments and biological significance.Molecular diversity · 2026Review
- Postoperative nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug prophylaxis for elbow heterotopic ossification: a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing COX-2 selective and nonselective inhibitors.JSES reviews, reports, and techniques · 2026Review
- Rotation Restored: Fascia Lata Interposition for Proximal Radioulnar Synostosis after Olecranon Plating.Journal of orthopaedic case reports · 2026Article
- Risk Factors Associated With Nonunion Following Periacetabular Osteotomy for Treatment of Symptomatic Hip Dysplasia.JB & JS open accessArticle
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundHeterotopic ossification (HO) is a frequent complication of joint trauma or surgery, commonly occurring after hip replacements, acetabular or other joint injuries, or surgeries. Indomethacin has long been used to prevent HO and is considered the first-line therapy. However, its effectiveness and necessity for HO prevention are still debated due to mixed evidence about its efficacy and potential side effects.
methodsFollowing PRISMA guidelines, this systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated randomized controlled trials using the PICO framework. Searches were conducted across PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. Data were extracted and assessed based on the evidence levels of the selected articles. This study was registered with the International Platform of Registered Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocols (INPLASY).
resultsThis analysis included 665 patients, with 347 in the Indomethacin group and 318 in the No Indomethacin group. The outcomes analyzed-HO, Gastrointestinal Side Effects, and Bone Ununion-indicated that indomethacin effectively prevents HO. The meta-analysis revealed that the Indomethacin group experienced a significant reduction in the occurrence of grade I-II HO compared to the No Indomethacin group, but not for grade III-IV HO. Gastrointestinal side effects were notably higher in the Indomethacin group. The incidence of bone nonunion was higher in the Indomethacin group, although not statistically significant.
conclusionsThe meta-analysis suggests that indomethacin is effective in preventing HO, particularly for Brooker grade I-II, rather than Brooker grade III-IV. Special attention should be given to gastrointestinal complications when using indomethacin. Further prospective randomized controlled studies are required to confirm these findings.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.