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What are the risks of anti-inflammatory use?

Tom Willemann |

Often patients ask me about what the “down side” is of taking over the counter or prescription anti-inflammatories. Most of these drugs have the following risks:

  • Delayed wound healing
  • Gastrointestinal Bleeds
  • Hemmoraghic Occurrences
  • Renal and Liver Toxicity
  • Edema, Nausea
  • Central Nervous System dizziness, stupor, tinnitus

Most of our physicians when recommending non-steroidal antiinflammatories (NSAIDs) will first attempt to find a drug that is effective. Hopefully with a shorter half life (ie how long its stays in your system) which decreases the chance of complications.   This is followed by a reduction in the dose to the minimum necessary to control symptoms for that patient.
When using trying short bouts of NSAIDs it can allow the patient to engage in normal activities, allow movement that aids in recovery of many musculoskeletal injuries or break an inflammatory cycle.  Long term use of NSAIDs to pursue an elective activity (ie running) is a recipe for disaster and damage of primary tissue healing of bone, ligament, tendon, and muscle.  In addition you can experience systemic side effect on other organ systems.  Individuals who already have compromised organ function and/or take other medications are at increased risk as compared to the general population.
At Apex Orthopedic Rehabilitation in Paramus, NJ we try and take into consideration the many aspects that influence the care of our patients for either orthopedic and sports physical therapy needs beyond our own direct treatments.  Always inform your physical therapist about both medications that are being taken for you current injury or unrelated medical conditions.
Apex Orthopedic Rehabilitation in Paramus, NJ provides orthopedic and sports physical therapy services for the greater Ridgewood, Paramus, and Bergen County region.  This blog is intended for informational purposes only and should not be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. The views expressed here are the author’s views and should be taken as suggestions. Always consult your physician before engaging in a physical therapy or rehabilitative regimen.

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Tom Willemann

Tom Willemann

Tom Willemann is a premier physical therapist based out of Bergen County, New Jersey. He holds an MS in physical therapy from the University of Miami, is credentialed in the world-renowned McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT), and holds an OCS (Orthopedic Clinical Specialist) certification. As of 2018, there are approximately 14,000 ABPTS certified specialists in the nation and less than 400 of them are located in the state of New Jersey. Tom is the owner and director of Apex Orthopedic Rehabilitation in Paramus. He opened the clinic, which specializes in spine and sports injury prevention, in 2004 after many years of experience in the field. Tom’s caring interest in others and his strong belief in continuity of care, combined with his clinic’s ability to find solutions for the most difficult orthopedic problems, have earned Apex Orthopedic Rehabilitation its excellent reputation with patients and medical professionals in northeastern New Jersey and beyond. A true “family man,” Tom takes pride in his clinic’s warm and welcoming environment.
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