Non-narcotic management
Strong evidence supports that NSAIDs improve short-term pain, function, or both in patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the hip.

Rationale

All efficacy studies included are high quality placebo controlled trials (Schnitzer, et.al., Baerwald, et.al. , Svensson, et.al., Klein, et.al., Makarowski, et.al. , Kivitz et.al ). Some studies also included comparisons to unavailable, experimental and nutriceutical agents (insert references); these agents were not considered for this review.

 

All studies reported clinical improvements employing standard clinical measuring instruments, including Womac, SF-36, VAS, OARSI and Lequensne scoring; at least two were used in each study. Study duration never exceeded 13 weeks and was the maximum duration considered when “short-term” was referenced in the work group recommendation. The clinically relevant drugs reviewed included Naproxen, Celecoxib, and Diclofenac. No recommendation can thus be made regarding the use of other agents possibly studied prior to the cutoff date of the systematic literature review inclusion criteria (1990). The “percent responders” ranged widely in studies that made specific note. Likely the values of 67%(Schnitzer), 50% Baerwald, 50% Klein, and 30% Kivitz, can be considered prognostic.