Does Celecoxib Have an Adverse Effect on Bone Remodeling and Ingrowth in Humans?

Although celecoxib may provide perioperative pain relief, the effect of the short-term use of celecoxib on bone ingrowth into porous-coated devices has not been previously studied in humans. Bone ingrowth into titanium and tantalum plugs was measured in nine patients who underwent staged bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and were taking celecoxib as part of a perioperative pain relief protocol. Patients were given tetracycline to measure the mineral apposition rate before and after celecoxib administration. Time zero plugs were implanted and retrieved during the first TKA, and 12 weeks later the contralateral implanted plugs were retrieved at the second TKA. The mineral apposition rate was similar for the titanium (0.97 μm per day) and the tantalum (1.15 μm per day) plugs at 12 weeks as was bone ingrowth (886 μm² versus 632 μm², respectively). Celecoxib does not seem to inhibit bone ingrowth or bone formation.