I just received an article from a special interest group of the American Physical Therapy Association. The use of antibiotics specifically Fluoroquinolones has been identified as posing a high risk of tendon ruptures in addition to other medical complications. Dr Hall has who authored an article titled Musculoskeletal Complications of Fluoroquinolones: Guidelines and Precautions for Usage in the Athletic Population has guidelines for the athletic population as follows:
- Avoid fluoroquinolone use unless there is no alternative
- Coaches and trainers should be aware of the use
- Corticosteriods should not be utilized in conjunction with fluoroquinolones.
- Consider concomitant use of magnesium and/or antioxidant use
- Training routines should be reduced in intensity and volume once antibiotics are started. A graduated return to full activity should be implemented so long as the patient remains asymptomatic after the antiobiotic course is finished.
- All athletic activity should be stopped if any adverse reactions are experienced.
- The patient should be monitored for one month after completion of antibiotics.
Too many of my athletes rely on these medications prophylactically in order to continue with running or biking without realizing the negative effects on tissue healing. Types of Fluoroquinolones are: Cipro, Levaquin, Noroxin, Tequin, Avelox, Floxin.