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Determine if short-term exposure to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) peri-operatively results in increased risk of delayed bone healing in elective forefoot surgery.Methodology & Procedure: 35 patients without contraindication to receiving NSAIDs underwent elective osseous forefoot surgery between 7/1/2018 5/30/2019 and received intra-operative IV ketorolac and/or post-operative PO ibuprofen in addition to regularly prescribed pain medications. Patients were followed post-operatively and monitored for clinical signs of delayed bone healing. This prospective group was compared to a retrospective group of 48 patients who underwent elective osseous forefoot surgery between 1/1/2017 6/30/2018 and had no exposure to NSAIDs in the peri-operative period. Statistical analysis was performed utilizing Fisher's exact test and t-test to calculate p values where <0.05 was statistically significant.Results: There were 3 cases of delayed union in the prospective group (n = 35) and 3 cases in the retrospective group (n = 48). Analysis and Discussion: Literature has shown that use of peri-operative NSAIDs can help manage surgical pain. Surgeons have been hesitant to utilize NSAIDs in the peri-operative period due to concern for delayed bone healing. In our study, there was no statistically significant difference in bone healing between the two groups. Incorporating NSAIDs peri-operatively could decrease use of narcotics without increased risk of delayed bone healing.
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