Effect of Postoperative Ketorolac Administration on the Union Rate Following First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Arthrodesis.

Background: To decrease postoperative opioid consumption, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including ketorolac, are considered a proper substitute with few side effects. Our null hypothesis is that a standard-dose, short-term ketorolac exposure does not increase the nonunion rate of a first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) arthrodesis.

Methods: In a retrospective cohort study, we included 181 primary first MTPJ arthrodeses from 2016 to 2020 in a single surgeon practice. The surgical technique was identical using a dorsal locking plate after preparing the joint with the cup-and-cone technique. A 30 mg intravenous dose of ketorolac was administered perioperatively, followed by a post-operative oral course of 10 mg oral ketorolac every 6 hours for 5 consecutive days. Patients were placed in a heel weight-bearing CAM boot for a minimum of 6 weeks. Union was determined radiographically at 3 months postoperative. Radiographic nonunion was also categorized clinically as symptomatic versus asymptomatic.

Results: At 3 months postoperative, a nonunion occurred in 15 (8.3%) patients. Of the 15 radiographic nonunions, 7 (45%) were clinically asymptomatic, while the other 8 (55%) were symptomatic. Six (75%) of the 8 symptomatic nonunions ultimately underwent revision surgery. The nonunion rate in our study compared to that described in the literature (5.4%) was similar and showed no significant difference (P = .067).

Conclusion: The use of a short course of oral ketorolac (40 mg/day or less for a maximum of 5 days) does not seem to affect the union rate after first MTPJ arthrodesis and can be used safely and effectively in the management of post-operative pain to decrease opioid consumption following this procedure.

Levels of evidence: Level 4.