Vinzenz Auersperg - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Vinzenz Auersperg

Fragestellung: Eine der Schlüsselfaktoren in der erfolgreichen Implantation einer zementfreien Hü... more Fragestellung: Eine der Schlüsselfaktoren in der erfolgreichen Implantation einer zementfreien Hüfttotalendoprothese (HTEP) ist die frühe und kontinuierliche ossäre Integration der Komponenten. Um eine solche zu beschleunigen oder zu verbessern, sind in den letzten Jahren vermehrt[for full text, please go to the a.m. URL]

The aim of this study was to evaluate a laboratory-guided therapeutic algorithm of preoperative a... more The aim of this study was to evaluate a laboratory-guided therapeutic algorithm of preoperative anemia. 335 patients with elective hip or knee arthroplasty were included in this retrospective before-after study. Group I ( = 101) underwent conventional preoperative procedures before algorithm implementation. Group II ( = 234) underwent algorithm-guided preoperative anemia management. A hemoglobin-level of 13 g/dL was the therapeutic cut-off for men and women. Reticulocyte hemoglobin content (CHr) and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR)/log ferritin ratio were used in the form of the Thomas plot. Iron deficiency (ID) was substituted with 1000 mg iron intravenous (i.v.) and 10000 international units (I.U.) of erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) subcutaneous (s.c.) or i.v., anemia of chronic disease (ACD) (without functional ID) with 40000 I.U. ESA s.c. or i.v and additionally 200 mg iron i.v. Substituted anemic patients in Group II ( = 32) showed a distinctly higher preoperative (Hb...

EFORT Open Reviews, 2020

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is a safe therapy and there are only a few side effects ... more Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is a safe therapy and there are only a few side effects known (such as pain during ESWT and minor haematomata), but no severe complications are to be expected if it is performed as recommended. Contraindications are severe coagulopathy for high-energy ESWT, and ESWT with focus on the foetus or embryo and focus on severe infection. The effect mechanism of ESWT is still a component of diverse studies, but as far as we can summarize today, it is a similar process to a cascade triggered by mechano-transduction: mechanical energy causes changes in the cellular skeleton, which provokes a reaction of the cell core (for example release of mRNA) to influence diverse cell structures such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, intracellular vesicles, etc., so the enzymatic response leads to the improvement of the healing process. The usage of ESWT should be taught, to improve the outcome. Courses should be organized by national societies, since the leg...

Zeitschrift für Orthopädie und ihre Grenzgebiete, 2003

Zeitschrift für Orthopädie, 2005

BACKGROUND The efficacy of low energy extracorporeal shock wave treatment (ESWT) for chronic plan... more BACKGROUND The efficacy of low energy extracorporeal shock wave treatment (ESWT) for chronic plantar fasciitis is discussed controversially. It is unclear whether the simultaneous application of local anesthesia (LA) interferes with clinical outcome. METHODS 60 patients with a chronic plantar fasciitis were enrolled in a triple-arm (20 patients per group), prospective randomized and observer-blinded pilot trial. The patients were randomly assigned to receive either active ESWT without LA (;3 x 1 500 shocks, total energy flux density [EFD] per shock 0.09 mJ/mm(2) [Group A]), ESWT with LA (3 x 1 500 shocks, EFD 0.18 mJ/mm(2) per shock [Group B]) or ESWT with LA (3 x 1 500 shocks, EFD 0.09 mJ/mm(2) [Group C]). Main outcome measures were: pain during first stepps in the morning (measured on a 0-10 point visual analogue scale) and number of patients with > 50 % reduction of pain and no further therapy needed, measured at 6 weeks after the last ESWT. RESULTS Group A improved in the VAS from 6.4 (SD: 1.7) to 2.2 (SD: 2.6) points, group B from 6.7 (SD: 1.5) to 4.1 (SD: 2.4) points, group C from 6.2 (SD: 1.6) to 3.8 (SD: 2.5) points. A reduction of pain of at least 50 % was achieved in 60 % of group A, in 36 % of group B and in 30 % of group C. Group A without LA showed a significantly higher improvement in the VAS and subjective evaluation than groups B (p = 0.007) and C (p = 0.016). CONCLUSION At 6 weeks success rates after low-energy ESWT with local anesthesia were significantly lower than after identical low-energy ESWT without local anesthesia. Higher energy levels could not balance the disadvantage of this effect. LA significantly influenced the clinical results after low energy ESWT in a negative way. Blinding patients by LA in ESWT studies must therefore be considered a systematic error in study design.

Zeitschrift für Orthopädie, 2004

The radiological appearance of the cementless ALLOCLASSIC SL-stem, implanted in patients with pri... more The radiological appearance of the cementless ALLOCLASSIC SL-stem, implanted in patients with primary osteoarthritis of the hip and aged at least 80 years at time of surgery, was investigated. 66 hips in 58 patients were analysed. 17 patients (19 hips) died in the interim, 5 patients (5 hips) were not available for follow-up because of health reasons (4) or lack of co-operation (1). 1 stem had to be explanted after a periprosthetic fracture of the femur. Finally, 41 total hip arthroplasties in 35 patients could be analysed after an average of 67.9 months (39.2-93.4). Bone atrophy - especially in the proximal Gruen zones - was frequently found. In contrast, radiolucent lines and osteolyses were rare occurrences. The Harris Hip score was preoperatively on average 33.0 points, at time of follow-up 81.7 points. The survival rate (endpoint aseptic loosening) was 100 % after a mean follow-up of 5.7 years. Also in very old patients the implantation of a cementless stem is possible and provides very good results.

Anemia, 2013

The aim of this study was to evaluate a laboratory-guided therapeutic algorithm of preoperative a... more The aim of this study was to evaluate a laboratory-guided therapeutic algorithm of preoperative anemia. 335 patients with elective hip or knee arthroplasty were included in this retrospective before-after study. Group I (n= 101) underwent conventional preoperative procedures before algorithm implementation. Group II (n= 234) underwent algorithm-guided preoperative anemia management. A hemoglobin-level of 13 g/dL was the therapeutic cut-off for men and women. Reticulocyte hemoglobin content (CHr) and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR)/log ferritin ratio were used in the form of the Thomas plot. Iron deficiency (ID) was substituted with 1000 mg iron intravenous (i.v.) and 10000 international units (I.U.) of erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) subcutaneous (s.c.) or i.v., anemia of chronic disease (ACD) (without functional ID) with 40000 I.U. ESA s.c. or i.v and additionally 200 mg iron i.v. Substituted anemic patients in Group II (n=32) showed a distinctly higher preoperative (Hb-...

The Journal of Arthroplasty, 2003

The first 100 Alloclassic (Centerpulse, Winterthur, Switzerland) hip prostheses implanted at Allg... more The first 100 Alloclassic (Centerpulse, Winterthur, Switzerland) hip prostheses implanted at Allgemeines Krankenhaus Linz were examined in this study. All cases involved primary total hip arthroplasty. Of these 100, 75 could be followed up clinically and radiologically. All living patients were contacted by telephone. The follow-up period was at least 10 years. If the endpoint is defined as removal of the prosthesis due to aseptic loosening, the survival rate was 96.9% for the cup and 100% for the stem after 132 months. The average Harris Hip Score was 85.4 points. Radiolucent lines and osteolyses were found primarily in the proximal zones of the stem.

The Journal of Arthroplasty, 2006

One hundred twenty-four total hip arthroplasties in 119 patients, all performed with the cementle... more One hundred twenty-four total hip arthroplasties in 119 patients, all performed with the cementless ALLOCLASSIC hip arthroplasty system (SL stem and CSF cup; Centerpulse, Winterthur, Switzerland), were analyzed retrospectively. In all hips, a 28-mm head and an ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene inlay were used. Of the 124 hips, 81 could be investigated clinically and radiologically after an average of 150.6 months (range, 133-169 months). Twenty-six patients (26 hips) died in the interim. One of these patients had septic cup loosening. Seventeen hips (16 patients) were not available for follow-up because of health reasons (12 hips in 11 patients), lack of cooperation (3 hips in 3 patients), or loss to follow-up (2 hips in 2 patients). Of the 124 total hip arthroplasties, 4 cups were removed (2 aseptic and 2 septic loosening). No stem had to be removed. If aseptic loosening is defined as the end point, the survival rate is 98.4% (95% confidence interval, 93.8%-99.6%) for the cup and 100% for the stem after 157 months. If revision for any reason is defined as the end point, the survival rate is 95.6% (95% confidence interval, 90.1%-98.3%). Before operation, the average Harris Hip Score was 36.4 points (21-46). At time of follow-up, the average Harris Hip Score was 89.7 points (54-100). Radiolucent lines and osteolyses were found only seldom (mostly in the proximal stem zones).

The Journal of Arthroplasty, 2006

Ninety Burch-Schneider antiprotrusio cages in 87 patients implanted in primary and revision total... more Ninety Burch-Schneider antiprotrusio cages in 87 patients implanted in primary and revision total hip arthroplasty were analyzed. Sixty-seven hips (64 patients) could be examined clinically and radiologically after an average of 50.3 months (minimum 23.6, maximum 131.0 months). Twenty patients (20 hips) died in interim and 3 patients (3 hips) were not available for follow-up. Of the 90 Burch-Schneider antiprotrusio cages, 4 had to be removed and 8 further cages were considered definitely loose. The survival rate is 93.4% (95% confidence interval, 74.3%-96.7%) after 131 months if the endpoint "cage explantation" is used. The average Harris Hip Score was improved from 28.2 preoperatively to 73.5 points at the time of follow-up. Radiolucent lines were often found in the Charnley/DeLee's zones II and III. In contrast, osteolyses were seldom seen.

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 1997

The aim of the current study was to reveal whether 7 days of indomethacin treatment sufficiently ... more The aim of the current study was to reveal whether 7 days of indomethacin treatment sufficiently prevents heterotopic ossification after cementless total hip arthroplasty. One group received indomethacin for 14 days (n = 102), and the second for 7 days (n = 99) after cementless total hip arthroplasty. At followup 1 year postoperatively, the average Harris Hip Score was 91 points in the 14-day treatment group and 89 points in the 7-day treatment group. The incidence of heterotopic ossification as outlined by Brooker was similar in both groups. Ninety-six patients in the 14-day treatment group had heterotopic ossification Grades 0 or 1, and 6 patients had Grade II heterotopic ossification; whereas in the 7-day treatment group, 95 patients had Grades 0 or 1 heterotopic ossification and 4 patients had Grade II ossification. None of the patients had Grades III or IV heterotopic ossification. In the 14-day treatment group, headache, dizziness, or gastritic disorders develop in 10 patients, and in the 7-day treatment group, 7 patients had these effects. This study shows that treatment with 100 mg indomethacin daily for 7 days is not significantly different than 14 days of treatment for the prevention of formation of severe heterotopic ossification after cementless hip arthroplasty.

Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, 2011

Complications after orthopaedic surgery have a substantial impact on resources, including the fin... more Complications after orthopaedic surgery have a substantial impact on resources, including the financial resources of the health-care system. Early detection of patients developing complications, thus excluding those patients without complications should have a major impact on patients' management. We evaluated the prognostic value of blood levels of inflammatory markers (interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, total white blood cell count) for complications after primary hip and knee arthroplasty in a routine setting, and their impact on patient management. First, the three inflammatory markers were evaluated in 68 consecutive patients treated at the Department of Orthopaedics. Laboratory markers were measured on days 2 and 4 after surgery. Second, patient management before and after adapting the routine order for laboratory parameters after arthroplasty were evaluated. We could show that interleukin-6 and the C-reactive protein had an almost equal negative predictive value for the exclusion of postsurgical complications. Nevertheless, interleukin-6 returned below its reference levels almost 2 days earlier compared to the other markers. This made an earlier discharge of patients with presumable complications-less postsurgical process possible. So, the total number of patients treated as well as the financial reimbursement could be increased and concurrently occupancy days and averaged length of stay were reduced.

Acta Orthopaedica, 1992

In a prospective series of 100 patients we investigated the effect of indomethacin for 6 weeks in... more In a prospective series of 100 patients we investigated the effect of indomethacin for 6 weeks in the prophylaxis of ectopic bone formation in hip replacements with cementless fixation. Indomethacin prophylaxis reduced (P < 0.0001) ectopic bone formation compared to a retrospective control group of equal size. Side-effects occurred in one-fifth of the patients, but most of these could continue the medication for at least 4 weeks.

Fragestellung: Eine der Schlüsselfaktoren in der erfolgreichen Implantation einer zementfreien Hü... more Fragestellung: Eine der Schlüsselfaktoren in der erfolgreichen Implantation einer zementfreien Hüfttotalendoprothese (HTEP) ist die frühe und kontinuierliche ossäre Integration der Komponenten. Um eine solche zu beschleunigen oder zu verbessern, sind in den letzten Jahren vermehrt[for full text, please go to the a.m. URL]

The aim of this study was to evaluate a laboratory-guided therapeutic algorithm of preoperative a... more The aim of this study was to evaluate a laboratory-guided therapeutic algorithm of preoperative anemia. 335 patients with elective hip or knee arthroplasty were included in this retrospective before-after study. Group I ( = 101) underwent conventional preoperative procedures before algorithm implementation. Group II ( = 234) underwent algorithm-guided preoperative anemia management. A hemoglobin-level of 13 g/dL was the therapeutic cut-off for men and women. Reticulocyte hemoglobin content (CHr) and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR)/log ferritin ratio were used in the form of the Thomas plot. Iron deficiency (ID) was substituted with 1000 mg iron intravenous (i.v.) and 10000 international units (I.U.) of erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) subcutaneous (s.c.) or i.v., anemia of chronic disease (ACD) (without functional ID) with 40000 I.U. ESA s.c. or i.v and additionally 200 mg iron i.v. Substituted anemic patients in Group II ( = 32) showed a distinctly higher preoperative (Hb...

EFORT Open Reviews, 2020

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is a safe therapy and there are only a few side effects ... more Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is a safe therapy and there are only a few side effects known (such as pain during ESWT and minor haematomata), but no severe complications are to be expected if it is performed as recommended. Contraindications are severe coagulopathy for high-energy ESWT, and ESWT with focus on the foetus or embryo and focus on severe infection. The effect mechanism of ESWT is still a component of diverse studies, but as far as we can summarize today, it is a similar process to a cascade triggered by mechano-transduction: mechanical energy causes changes in the cellular skeleton, which provokes a reaction of the cell core (for example release of mRNA) to influence diverse cell structures such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, intracellular vesicles, etc., so the enzymatic response leads to the improvement of the healing process. The usage of ESWT should be taught, to improve the outcome. Courses should be organized by national societies, since the leg...

Zeitschrift für Orthopädie und ihre Grenzgebiete, 2003

Zeitschrift für Orthopädie, 2005

BACKGROUND The efficacy of low energy extracorporeal shock wave treatment (ESWT) for chronic plan... more BACKGROUND The efficacy of low energy extracorporeal shock wave treatment (ESWT) for chronic plantar fasciitis is discussed controversially. It is unclear whether the simultaneous application of local anesthesia (LA) interferes with clinical outcome. METHODS 60 patients with a chronic plantar fasciitis were enrolled in a triple-arm (20 patients per group), prospective randomized and observer-blinded pilot trial. The patients were randomly assigned to receive either active ESWT without LA (;3 x 1 500 shocks, total energy flux density [EFD] per shock 0.09 mJ/mm(2) [Group A]), ESWT with LA (3 x 1 500 shocks, EFD 0.18 mJ/mm(2) per shock [Group B]) or ESWT with LA (3 x 1 500 shocks, EFD 0.09 mJ/mm(2) [Group C]). Main outcome measures were: pain during first stepps in the morning (measured on a 0-10 point visual analogue scale) and number of patients with > 50 % reduction of pain and no further therapy needed, measured at 6 weeks after the last ESWT. RESULTS Group A improved in the VAS from 6.4 (SD: 1.7) to 2.2 (SD: 2.6) points, group B from 6.7 (SD: 1.5) to 4.1 (SD: 2.4) points, group C from 6.2 (SD: 1.6) to 3.8 (SD: 2.5) points. A reduction of pain of at least 50 % was achieved in 60 % of group A, in 36 % of group B and in 30 % of group C. Group A without LA showed a significantly higher improvement in the VAS and subjective evaluation than groups B (p = 0.007) and C (p = 0.016). CONCLUSION At 6 weeks success rates after low-energy ESWT with local anesthesia were significantly lower than after identical low-energy ESWT without local anesthesia. Higher energy levels could not balance the disadvantage of this effect. LA significantly influenced the clinical results after low energy ESWT in a negative way. Blinding patients by LA in ESWT studies must therefore be considered a systematic error in study design.

Zeitschrift für Orthopädie, 2004

The radiological appearance of the cementless ALLOCLASSIC SL-stem, implanted in patients with pri... more The radiological appearance of the cementless ALLOCLASSIC SL-stem, implanted in patients with primary osteoarthritis of the hip and aged at least 80 years at time of surgery, was investigated. 66 hips in 58 patients were analysed. 17 patients (19 hips) died in the interim, 5 patients (5 hips) were not available for follow-up because of health reasons (4) or lack of co-operation (1). 1 stem had to be explanted after a periprosthetic fracture of the femur. Finally, 41 total hip arthroplasties in 35 patients could be analysed after an average of 67.9 months (39.2-93.4). Bone atrophy - especially in the proximal Gruen zones - was frequently found. In contrast, radiolucent lines and osteolyses were rare occurrences. The Harris Hip score was preoperatively on average 33.0 points, at time of follow-up 81.7 points. The survival rate (endpoint aseptic loosening) was 100 % after a mean follow-up of 5.7 years. Also in very old patients the implantation of a cementless stem is possible and provides very good results.

Anemia, 2013

The aim of this study was to evaluate a laboratory-guided therapeutic algorithm of preoperative a... more The aim of this study was to evaluate a laboratory-guided therapeutic algorithm of preoperative anemia. 335 patients with elective hip or knee arthroplasty were included in this retrospective before-after study. Group I (n= 101) underwent conventional preoperative procedures before algorithm implementation. Group II (n= 234) underwent algorithm-guided preoperative anemia management. A hemoglobin-level of 13 g/dL was the therapeutic cut-off for men and women. Reticulocyte hemoglobin content (CHr) and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR)/log ferritin ratio were used in the form of the Thomas plot. Iron deficiency (ID) was substituted with 1000 mg iron intravenous (i.v.) and 10000 international units (I.U.) of erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) subcutaneous (s.c.) or i.v., anemia of chronic disease (ACD) (without functional ID) with 40000 I.U. ESA s.c. or i.v and additionally 200 mg iron i.v. Substituted anemic patients in Group II (n=32) showed a distinctly higher preoperative (Hb-...

The Journal of Arthroplasty, 2003

The first 100 Alloclassic (Centerpulse, Winterthur, Switzerland) hip prostheses implanted at Allg... more The first 100 Alloclassic (Centerpulse, Winterthur, Switzerland) hip prostheses implanted at Allgemeines Krankenhaus Linz were examined in this study. All cases involved primary total hip arthroplasty. Of these 100, 75 could be followed up clinically and radiologically. All living patients were contacted by telephone. The follow-up period was at least 10 years. If the endpoint is defined as removal of the prosthesis due to aseptic loosening, the survival rate was 96.9% for the cup and 100% for the stem after 132 months. The average Harris Hip Score was 85.4 points. Radiolucent lines and osteolyses were found primarily in the proximal zones of the stem.

The Journal of Arthroplasty, 2006

One hundred twenty-four total hip arthroplasties in 119 patients, all performed with the cementle... more One hundred twenty-four total hip arthroplasties in 119 patients, all performed with the cementless ALLOCLASSIC hip arthroplasty system (SL stem and CSF cup; Centerpulse, Winterthur, Switzerland), were analyzed retrospectively. In all hips, a 28-mm head and an ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene inlay were used. Of the 124 hips, 81 could be investigated clinically and radiologically after an average of 150.6 months (range, 133-169 months). Twenty-six patients (26 hips) died in the interim. One of these patients had septic cup loosening. Seventeen hips (16 patients) were not available for follow-up because of health reasons (12 hips in 11 patients), lack of cooperation (3 hips in 3 patients), or loss to follow-up (2 hips in 2 patients). Of the 124 total hip arthroplasties, 4 cups were removed (2 aseptic and 2 septic loosening). No stem had to be removed. If aseptic loosening is defined as the end point, the survival rate is 98.4% (95% confidence interval, 93.8%-99.6%) for the cup and 100% for the stem after 157 months. If revision for any reason is defined as the end point, the survival rate is 95.6% (95% confidence interval, 90.1%-98.3%). Before operation, the average Harris Hip Score was 36.4 points (21-46). At time of follow-up, the average Harris Hip Score was 89.7 points (54-100). Radiolucent lines and osteolyses were found only seldom (mostly in the proximal stem zones).

The Journal of Arthroplasty, 2006

Ninety Burch-Schneider antiprotrusio cages in 87 patients implanted in primary and revision total... more Ninety Burch-Schneider antiprotrusio cages in 87 patients implanted in primary and revision total hip arthroplasty were analyzed. Sixty-seven hips (64 patients) could be examined clinically and radiologically after an average of 50.3 months (minimum 23.6, maximum 131.0 months). Twenty patients (20 hips) died in interim and 3 patients (3 hips) were not available for follow-up. Of the 90 Burch-Schneider antiprotrusio cages, 4 had to be removed and 8 further cages were considered definitely loose. The survival rate is 93.4% (95% confidence interval, 74.3%-96.7%) after 131 months if the endpoint "cage explantation" is used. The average Harris Hip Score was improved from 28.2 preoperatively to 73.5 points at the time of follow-up. Radiolucent lines were often found in the Charnley/DeLee's zones II and III. In contrast, osteolyses were seldom seen.

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 1997

The aim of the current study was to reveal whether 7 days of indomethacin treatment sufficiently ... more The aim of the current study was to reveal whether 7 days of indomethacin treatment sufficiently prevents heterotopic ossification after cementless total hip arthroplasty. One group received indomethacin for 14 days (n = 102), and the second for 7 days (n = 99) after cementless total hip arthroplasty. At followup 1 year postoperatively, the average Harris Hip Score was 91 points in the 14-day treatment group and 89 points in the 7-day treatment group. The incidence of heterotopic ossification as outlined by Brooker was similar in both groups. Ninety-six patients in the 14-day treatment group had heterotopic ossification Grades 0 or 1, and 6 patients had Grade II heterotopic ossification; whereas in the 7-day treatment group, 95 patients had Grades 0 or 1 heterotopic ossification and 4 patients had Grade II ossification. None of the patients had Grades III or IV heterotopic ossification. In the 14-day treatment group, headache, dizziness, or gastritic disorders develop in 10 patients, and in the 7-day treatment group, 7 patients had these effects. This study shows that treatment with 100 mg indomethacin daily for 7 days is not significantly different than 14 days of treatment for the prevention of formation of severe heterotopic ossification after cementless hip arthroplasty.

Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, 2011

Complications after orthopaedic surgery have a substantial impact on resources, including the fin... more Complications after orthopaedic surgery have a substantial impact on resources, including the financial resources of the health-care system. Early detection of patients developing complications, thus excluding those patients without complications should have a major impact on patients' management. We evaluated the prognostic value of blood levels of inflammatory markers (interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, total white blood cell count) for complications after primary hip and knee arthroplasty in a routine setting, and their impact on patient management. First, the three inflammatory markers were evaluated in 68 consecutive patients treated at the Department of Orthopaedics. Laboratory markers were measured on days 2 and 4 after surgery. Second, patient management before and after adapting the routine order for laboratory parameters after arthroplasty were evaluated. We could show that interleukin-6 and the C-reactive protein had an almost equal negative predictive value for the exclusion of postsurgical complications. Nevertheless, interleukin-6 returned below its reference levels almost 2 days earlier compared to the other markers. This made an earlier discharge of patients with presumable complications-less postsurgical process possible. So, the total number of patients treated as well as the financial reimbursement could be increased and concurrently occupancy days and averaged length of stay were reduced.

Acta Orthopaedica, 1992

In a prospective series of 100 patients we investigated the effect of indomethacin for 6 weeks in... more In a prospective series of 100 patients we investigated the effect of indomethacin for 6 weeks in the prophylaxis of ectopic bone formation in hip replacements with cementless fixation. Indomethacin prophylaxis reduced (P < 0.0001) ectopic bone formation compared to a retrospective control group of equal size. Side-effects occurred in one-fifth of the patients, but most of these could continue the medication for at least 4 weeks.