Comparison of piroxicam with placebo in the management of pain after total hip replacement

Abstract

A randomized double-blind controlled study was undertaken to assess the analgesic efficacy of piroxicam. Twenty-four patients underwent total hip replacement under spinal anaesthetic; after operation, they received a 3-day course of either placebo (n = 12) or piroxicam (n = 12). Adequate analgesia was provided for 48 h by a patient-controlled analgesia system delivering morphine. Patients receiving piroxicam required 50% less morphine than the control group (38 mg compared with 76 mg (P less than 0.002]. This technique was tolerated well and there were no significant side effects.