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EDITORIALS: Fraser Birrell and Stefan Lohmander Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs after hip replacement BMJ 2006; 333: 507-508 [Full text]

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drugs after hip replacement

Howard J Homler   (9 September 2006)

NSAIDs and orthopaedic surgery

James S Dawson   (10 September 2006)

drugs after hip replacement 9 September 2006
Howard J Homler, Internist Sacramento, California 95608 USA Send response to journal: Re: drugs after hip replacement	I'm pleased to see some light shed on the benefits or lack thereof of medications we commonly prescribe following hip replacement surgery. I'm very curious to see what effect starting treatment with bisphosphonates might have on these patients. Admission for hip fracture is pointed to as an opportunity (late, as it may be) to diagnose and treat osteoporosis. Is reducing bone turnover with bisphosphonates in this setting helpful or harmful? What about PTH-like drugs? I look forward to more data rather than base treatment on theory that sounds pleasant to logic. Howard Homler MD, FACP Competing interests: None declared
NSAIDs and orthopaedic surgery 10 September 2006
James S Dawson, SHO Anaesthesia Birmingham Send response to journal: Re: NSAIDs and orthopaedic surgery	I hope 'we' don't assume NSAIDs in the peri-operative period do not bring about symptom relief from pain in the hours, days and weeks post- operatively. As much as some cringe at their use in patients who have undergone recent orthopaedic surgery, the short term benefits remain clear. That is not to say I think they are without risk. One should still balance risks against potential benefits. Competing interests: None declared