In the present literature review, experimental and clinical studies of the last 15 years concerning the effects of conventional and COX-2 selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on bone healing were reported. Most of the data pertaining to conventional NSAIDs have shown to cause delayed fracture healing and impairment of spinal fusion in animal studies, as well as a negative interference on spinal fusion rate in human beings. In spite of the established importance of prostaglandin E2, synthesized by osteoblasts under COX-2 stimulation, in controlling bone formation, the results regarding the potential inhibitory effects of selective NSAIDs on experimental bone healing are still controversial and there is no clinical data to confirm that they interfere negatively with repairing bone formation.
Prostaglandins; COX-2; Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; Bone healing