Ibuprofen after fusion?

[Justoneofus]

Yep, ibuprofen is an anti-inflammer, and it is said to be directly related to fusion failure. I would not take any over the counter meds without first speaking with your surgeon. I was told that I could take tylenol "occasionally".

BUT, FYI..I was one of the ones that HAD to go back on CELEBREX at week 10 I think it was.. due to uncontrolled swelling. I still fused and solidly at 7 months for one level posterior fusion at l4/l5. I got lucky.

Everyone is different, but had I not needed to be on the Celebrex, I certainly would not have taken it.

Just check with your doctor. Tammy

[Laenini]

Its not just ibuprofen that can interfere with a fusion, its any NSAID (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug). Here is a pretty complete list of the drugs in this class for easy reference. If I missed any, I apologize.

Aspirin
Diclofenac Potassium (Cataflam)
Diclofenac Sodium (Voltaren)
Etodolac (Lodine)
Indomethacin (Indocin)
Ketorolac (Toradol)
Sulindac (Clinoril)
Tolmetic (Tolectin)
Meclofenamate
Mefenamic acid (Ponstel)
Fenoprofen (Nalfon)
Flurbiprofen (Ansaid)
Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)
Ketoprofen (Orudis, others)
Naproxen Sodium (Anaprox, Aleve)
Naproxen (Naprosyn)
Oxaprozin (Daypro)
Nabumetone (Relafen)
Difusinal (Dolobid)
Salsalate
Celecoxib (Celebrex)
Meloxicam (Mobic)
Piroxicam (Feldene)

In addition to being held for several months after fusion surgery, these drugs are often stopped a week or two before the surgery. I believe to decrease bleeding complications during the surgery more than for the anti-inflammatory effect.

[BlueAtlas]

Originally Posted by Laenini

I believe to decrease bleeding complications during the surgery more than for the anti-inflammatory effect.

Yes, that's correct. Every time I donated blood, I bled like crazy afterward. They'd end up holding ice on the site and holding my arm straight up in the air for 5 minutes or more before I'd stop bleeding. I asked if it could be because I took a fair amount of Ibuprofen, and the blood mobile ladies said their information only said aspirin would do that. I finally went on-line and searched it out myself. Ibuprofen and Naproxen (and probably all those NSAIDS) are indeed blood thinners. You definitely don't want to be on them prior to surgery!

~Emily

[Susiebird]

Originally Posted by Laenini

Its not just ibuprofen that can interfere with a fusion, its any NSAID (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug). Here is a pretty complete list of the drugs in this class for easy reference. If I missed any, I apologize.

.....Piroxicam (Feldene)

My surgeon put me on this at 7 months p/o for inflammation so he is obviously one of those doctors who believes this isn't true. (I was showing signs of fusion at the time.) I take one 25 mg/day with my main meal. Like everyone else says, check with YOUR surgeon to find out their take on it.

[Laenini]

Its not forever after a fusion that you have to stay off NSAIDS, and different doctors may have different opinions about how long you will need to stay off. My doctor told me 3 months before I could go back on my Relafen.