Nsaids for Osteoarthritis
As a clinician or exercise professional, you have encountered many acute musculoskeletal injuries. You have always advised your patient/ client to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (e.g. Nurofen) or diclofenac (e.g. Voltaren) to reduce pain. Now you have a client who has sustained an acute ankle injury while playing soccer. This client does not like taking medication and asks whether they could use NSAID creams or gels instead. You have colleagues who believe these treatments to be a waste of time, but you have never checked the literature to confirm this. Find the best available evidence to inform you as to whether topical NSAID treatments can reduce pain for acute injuries.
Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs are the steroid free clinical option for various problems faced in the modern life. These anti-inflammatory drugs are normally used due to their “analgesic” or “pain relieving” effects (Greener, 2009). NSAIDs that are now almost common in most households are aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), ibuprofen and diclofenac. The major delivery over the last decade of NSAIDs has been via oral treatments and medications. However, recent studies have shown that topical treatments may provide a better health outcome when it comes to pain relief and general health (Greener, 2009).
Though these drugs have seen a lot of success over the last few decades, various studies have highlighted major toxicological side effects from high dosages of NSAIDs. A recent review conducted by McCarbeg (2010) found that doses higher than 2g/day of oral NSAIDs lead to higher risk of gastrointestinal complications. These oral NSAIDs are also being blamed for causing a higher risk in development of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension. McCarbeg (2010) conducted a review on an a blind study that tested the gastric erosions that occurred at the delivery of different oral NSAIDs compared to a placebo. The study found that ibuprofen
Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs are the steroid free clinical option for various problems faced in the modern life. These anti-inflammatory drugs are normally used due to their “analgesic” or “pain relieving” effects (Greener, 2009). NSAIDs that are now almost common in most households are aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), ibuprofen and diclofenac. The major delivery over the last decade of NSAIDs has been via oral treatments and medications. However, recent studies have shown that topical treatments may provide a better health outcome when it comes to pain relief and general health (Greener, 2009).
Though these drugs have seen a lot of success over the last few decades, various studies have highlighted major toxicological side effects from high dosages of NSAIDs. A recent review conducted by McCarbeg (2010) found that doses higher than 2g/day of oral NSAIDs lead to higher risk of gastrointestinal complications. These oral NSAIDs are also being blamed for causing a higher risk in development of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension. McCarbeg (2010) conducted a review on an a blind study that tested the gastric erosions that occurred at the delivery of different oral NSAIDs compared to a placebo. The study found that ibuprofen