Practical management: nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) use in athletic injuries.

Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are frequently used in the treatment of acute athletic injuries, often for analgesic purposes as the evidence to support enhanced healing is limited. However, the current evidence on NSAID use in athletic injury is slowly growing. On the basis of animal models and limited human studies, some practical management guidelines can be drawn to assist the sports physician. Specifically, NSAIDs are not recommended in the treatment of completed fractures, stress fractures at higher risk of nonunion, or in the setting of chronic muscle injury. The only exception may be very short-term use (eg, a few days) for analgesic purposes only. Judicious use of NSAIDs may be more appropriate in the management of acute ligament sprains, muscle strains, tendinitis, and eccentric muscle injury. However, length of treatment should always be kept as short as possible, with consideration of the specific type of injury, level of dysfunction, and pain.

An uncommon elbow injury in a baseball player.

A 21-year-old right-hand dominant minor league catcher injured his left elbow while running to first base after batting the ball. The first baseman, in his attempt to catch the throw to first, tripped the patient. The patient landed on his outstretched left hand, then tucked in his arm and landed on his left elbow. The patient denied any sensation of elbow dislocation and continued playing for a few more innings, until swelling and diminished range of motion affected his ability to catch. The patient iced his elbow immediately after he stopped playing.