2024 COA Annual Meeting: The Effect of NSAIDs and COX-2 Inhibitors on Structural and Clinical Outcomes Following Rotator Cuff Repair – A Systematic Review and Meta Analysis

Seven studies with patients undergoing primary arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis assessing the effect of NSAIDs and COX-2 inhibitors. Pooled outcomes of interest included healing/retear rate, shoulder-specific outcome measures, and VAS pain scale. The pooled results indicated that NSAIDs did not affect the retear rate but significantly reduced post-operative pain and improved functional outcomes compared to control. Conversely, COX-2 inhibitors did not show significant benefits in reducing pain or improving functional outcomes. These findings suggest that while NSAIDs can enhance post-operative recovery by reducing pain and improving function, they do not impair structural healing of the rotator cuff.