Research shows ibuprofen does not hinder bone fracture healing in children

Doctors have traditionally avoided prescribing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen to patients with fractures. This belief is based on basic science research that supports delayed bone healing in some animal models, as well as in some spinal fusion cases. However, a new study from the University of Missouri School of Medicine and MU Health Care shows ibuprofen is an effective medication for fracture pain in children and its use does not affect fracture healing.

The study examined 95 skeletally immature children with fractures. Forty-six patients in the control group received acetaminophen for pain, while 49 patients in the NSAID group received ibuprofen. Six weeks after surgery, 82% of the control group and 92% of the ibuprofen group had healed fractures. At 10-to-12 week follow-ups, 98% of the control group and 100% of the ibuprofen group had healed.

“The findings of this study are relevant for a wide variety of practitioners,” said study co-author Sumit Gupta, MD, an associate professor of orthopaedic surgery at the MU School of Medicine. “I think this study will be especially important when the patient first presents to the emergency department. The physician there should feel comfortable prescribing ibuprofen in addition to acetaminophen as a safe and effective pain reliever that won’t hinder a child’s bone healing.”

Patients in the control and ibuprofen groups reported similar pain management scores during the first three days after injury and at each follow-up interval. For the control group, acetaminophen was used for 3.9 days on average while the ibuprofen group average was 4.3 days.

“We often find that pain management is not adequate with just acetaminophen,” Gupta said. “Patients respond better to having two medications at the same time. So if that second medication can be ibuprofen instead of a narcotic, that’s a much safer alternative.”

Gupta believes the results from this study warrant further investigation to examine the effectiveness of other NSAID drugs besides ibuprofen, how NSAIDs work on specific types and locations of fractures and the effectiveness of this treatment on specific patient profiles, including adults.

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In addition to Gupta, the study’s lead author was Julia Nuelle, MD, U.S. Air Force. Other MU School of Medicine contributors included Daniel Hoernschemeyer, MD, associate professor of orthopaedic surgery; and James Cook, DVM, PhD, the William & Kathryn Allen Distinguished Chair in Orthopaedic Surgery.

The study, “Effect of NSAID Use on Bone Healing in Pediatric Fractures: A Preliminary, Prospective, Randomized, Blinded Study,” was recently published by the Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics. The study was funded from the University of Missouri Orthopaedic Association and the Missouri Orthopaedic Institute.