NSAIDs overused in musculoskeletal injury
3 July 2009
The perception that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) offer superior analgesia (pain relief) over paracetamol for the treatment of many sports injuries may be inaccurate, according to guidelines prepared by an international expert panel (Br J Sports Med, online 21 June).
The experts, who included Professor John Orchard of South Sydney Sports Medicine Centre and the University of Sydney, said the use of NSAIDs for muscle and ligament injuries in particular was controversial.
‘NSAIDs’ analgesic action does not appear to be significantly greater than paracetamol for musculoskeletal injury, but they have a higher risk profile, with side-effects including asthma exacerbation, gastrointestinal and renal [kidney] side effects, hypertension [high blood pressure] and other cardiovascular disease, ’ they said.
However, they said NSAIDs were beneficial in treating injuries involving inflammation.
Previous research had suggested that as many as 35 per cent of elite athletes used NSAIDs daily during competitions, and the authors said this figure was probably similar among the general population being treated for sports injuries.
‘They [NSAIDs] are ideal when there is impingement or excess scar tissue from an injury or a nerve getting pinched,’ he said.
However, he said NSAIDs might be contraindicated in injuries including torn ligaments or fractures.
‘In an injury where repair is needed, non-steroidals will have an effective delay in the repair. They will inhibit the laying down of scar tissue.’
Last Reviewed: 03 July 2009
- 1. Paoloni JA, Milne C, Orchard J, Hamilton B. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in sports medicine: guidelines for practical but sensible use. Br J Sports Med 2009 Oct;43(11): 863-5. Epub 2009 Jun 21
