A 42-year-old man undergoes ORIF of a posterior wall acetabular fracture through a Kocher-Langenbeck approach. To reduce the risk of a well recognized late complication around the hip after surgical exposure of this region, which medication is routinely given postoperatively?

• A Allopurinol for six weeks
• B Indomethacin for four to six weeks ✓
• C Colchicine for eight weeks
• D Methotrexate for twelve weeks

Explanation

Heterotopic ossification is a recognized complication after operative fixation of acetabular fractures, especially through extensile or Kocher-Langenbeck exposures. Prophylaxis with an NSAID such as indomethacin for four to six weeks, with or without low dose radiation, reduces its incidence. Allopurinol and colchicine treat gout, and methotrexate has no role in HO prophylaxis.

Reference: Rockwood and Green's Fractures in Adults, 9th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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