Pain Relief and Injury Prevention Aides
Can anti-inflammatory drugs be harmful? How long can they be taken for an injury?
Anti-inflammatories can injure the lining of the stomach, causing stomach distress and/or bleeding. They can
diminish platelet function and cause excessive bleeding. Newer anti-inflammatories are safer. They include
Bextra, and Celebrex. They are, however, expensive. Anti-inflammatories can be prescribed over an indefinite
period if there are no evident complications, but regular follow-up visits with a physician must occur.
When should cortisone injections be considered, and how safe are they?
They can be safely given in the shoulder or elbow for tendonitis and bursitis, when patients are in severe
pain that does not remit with exercises and anti-inflammatories. Two shots may be given over a three to six
month period. After that, further shots can debilitate the quality of the tendon tissue.
Cortisone in the knee is of such temporary value that we rarely administer it for arthritis. The one exception
that I, not infrequently, have is someone needing to "get well" for a short time for an event, such as walking
down the aisle at their granddaughter's wedding.
I see a lot of information on the Internet regarding Magnetic Sports Therapy bracelets and creams that can help reduce
inflammation and pain resulting from common injuries such as carpal tunnel, tennis and golfer's elbow, bursitis and even
some neck and shoulder problems. Do such products really work?
There is no scientific evidence that they help any painful condition. A placebo will benefit nearly 60 percent of cases if
the practitioner is enthusiastic about it. Unfortunately, the placebo effect diminishes over a couple of weeks. Magnets
are good for the refrigerator door.
Are braces beneficial to injured limbs? Can they prevent further injury to the limb?
No pure scientific evidence exists that they reduce further injury. All studies that have shown braces to be effective
have been financed by brace manufacturers. In the l980s when coaches used prophylactic knee braces for high school football
players, we had an epidemic of femur fractures occurring above the brace. Knee ligament injuries are preferable to femur fractures.
However, a knee brace can offer some moderate relief in mild knee arthritis.
Is it possible for compression shorts and cinch straps to actually reduce the risk of injury in running or jumping activities?
No, but they decrease the "parachute affect" and will make you run faster.
