A Randomized Trial Comparing the Safety and Efficacy of Intravenous Ibuprofen versus Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen in Knee or Hip Arthroplasty

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78 patients scheduled for total knee or hip arthroplasty were randomized to a perioperative analgesic protocol of a combination of intravenous (IV) ibuprofen & IV acetaminophen, or IV ibuprofen alone. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if groups demonstrated any significant differences in pain scores over the first 5 days postoperatively. With the exception of pain scores on the third postoperative day, which was significantly lower in the combination group, no between-group differences were observed in pain scores over the observation period. Secondary outcomes of morphine consumption in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) and the incidence of adverse events significantly favoured the combination group compared to the IV ibuprofen alone group.