Pain Management in Sports Medicine: Use and Abuse of Anti-Inflammatory and Other Agents

Abstract

Over the last two decades, the health benefits associated with increased physical activity have been established.1 However, with increased participation in physical activity comes a subsequent increase in sports and exercise related injury. It is estimated that there are over 4.2 million visits to the emergency rooms for sport and exercise related acute injury in the United States alone, and at least that number of visits due to chronic sport and exercise related injury.2,3 This article will focus on the use of pharmacological agents in the acute management of these injuries.