Challenges of pain masking in the management of soft tissue disorders: optimizing patient outcomes with a multi-targeted approach

Abstract

Current approaches to managing soft tissue injuries often rely upon the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The use of NSAIDs in this manner is contentious, and some believe that the risks of using NSAIDs can outweigh any potential benefit. In this article the issues of toxicity, pain masking and return to full activity are reviewed, and an alternative strategy for the management of inflammation in soft tissue injuries is proposed. We consider that a multi-targeted approach has the potential to improve healing, reduce additional injury from premature return to full activity as a consequence of pain masking, and improve prognosis for many patients with soft tissue injuries.

Keywords::

• Inflammation
• NSAIDs
• Pain masking
• Recovery of function
• Rehabilitation outcome
• Soft tissue injuries

Transparency

Declaration of funding

Publication of this supplement is supported by Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH, Germany.

Declaration of financial/other relationships

B.W. has disclosed that he is Chairman of the Traumeel Scientific Advisory Board for Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH, and has received honoraria for giving scientific talks. C.S. has disclosed that she is a consultant/advisor to the Traumeel Scientific Advisory Board for Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH.

CMRO peer reviewers on this manuscript have received an honorarium from CMRO for their review work, but have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Ann Stringer for manuscript preparation assistance and Anna Roubo, of Aspen Medical Media Limited, for editorial support. These services were funded by Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH, Germany.

Previous presentation: This article is based on talks given at a satellite symposium on 13 June at EULAR 2013, 12–15 June, Madrid, Spain, entitled ‘The inflammation continuum from acute to chronic: optimizing patient outcomes by a multi-targeted approach’. The satellite symposium was sponsored by Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH, manufacturer of Traumeel.

Notes

*Traumeel is a registered trade name of Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH, Baden-Baden, Germany