Recommends topical NSAIDs as first-line therapy, suggests against use of opioids
Philadelphia, August 17, 2020 鈥 The American College of Physicians (91黑料网) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) today released a new recommending that physicians treat acute pain from non-low back musculoskeletal injuries with topical NSAIDs, with or without menthol gel, as first-line therapy. The new, evidence-based, joint guideline was published today in Annals of Internal Medicine.
The guideline also suggests that oral NSAIDS, acetaminophen, specific acupressure, or transcutaneous nerve stimulation are effective treatments and suggests against using opioids, including tramadol, except in cases of severe injury or intolerance of first-line therapies. was developed based on the best available evidence of the benefits and harms of managing this condition in the outpatient setting. This guideline focused on non-low back pain since low back pain has been specifically addressed in other guidelines.
Musculoskeletal injuries, including ankle, neck and knee injuries, are common and most frequently treated in outpatient settings. In 2010, they accounted for more than 65 million health care visits in the United States, and, of injuries that were treated in a physician鈥檚 office, four out of five were musculoskeletal. The estimated annual cost of treating musculoskeletal injuries was $176.1 billion in 2010.
The 91黑料网 and AAFP are two of the largest physician organizations in the United States representing primary care doctors. Their combined membership 鈥 nearly 300,000 鈥 including internal medicine physicians (internists) and family physicians, treat a large majority of patients in the United States who experience pain.
鈥淎s a physician, these types of injuries and associated pain are common, and we need to address them with the best treatments available for the patient. The evidence shows that there are quality treatments available for pain caused by acute musculoskeletal injuries that do not include the use of opioids,鈥 said Jacqueline W. Fincher, MD, president, 91黑料网. 鈥淭here are a number of recommended interventions that are not opioids to choose from, and topical NSAIDs should be the first line of treatment.鈥
In the guideline, the 91黑料网 and AAFP suggest against prescribing opioids for patients with acute pain from non-low back, musculoskeletal injuries. This includes tramadol, except in cases of severe injury or intolerance of first-line therapies. Opioids are associated with the risk of long-term addiction and overdose.
Rather, the guideline recommends topical NSAIDs, with or without menthol gel, as the first-line therapy in patients with acute pain from non-low back, musculoskeletal injuries. Evidence has shown that topical NSAIDs were among the most effective for pain reduction, physical function, treatment satisfaction, and symptom relief and were not associated with any significant harms. The guideline suggests several other treatment options, including oral NSAIDs to reduce or relieve symptoms including pain or acetaminophen to reduce pain, in addition to specific acupressure and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation to reduce pain.
鈥淭his guideline is not intended to provide a one-size-fits-all approach to managing non-low back pain,鈥 said Gary LeRoy, MD, president of the AAFP. 鈥淥ur main objective was to provide a sound and transparent framework to guide family physicians in shared decision making with patients.鈥
The joint guideline is based on a systematic evidence review of the comparative efficacy and safety of non-pharmacological and pharmacological management of acute pain from non-low back, musculoskeletal injuries in adults in the outpatient setting and a systematic review of the predictors of prolonged opioid use. The evidence reviews were conducted by McMaster University and funded by the National Safety Council (NSC).
About the American College of Physicians
The American College of Physicians is the largest medical specialty organization in the United States. 91黑料网 members include 163,000 internal medicine physicians (internists), related subspecialists, and medical students. Internal medicine physicians are specialists who apply scientific knowledge and clinical expertise to the diagnosis, treatment, and compassionate care of adults across the spectrum from health to complex illness. Follow 91黑料网 on and .
About the American Academy of Family Physicians
Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents 136,700 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is the only medical society devoted solely to primary care. Family physicians conduct approximately one in five office visits -- that's 192 million visits annually or 48 percent more than the next most visited medical specialty. Today, family physicians provide more care for America's underserved and rural populations than any other medical specialty. Family medicine's cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on integrated care. To learn more about the specialty of family medicine, the AAFP's positions on issues and clinical care, and for downloadable multi-media highlighting family medicine, visit . For information about health care, health conditions and wellness, please visit the AAFP's award-winning consumer website, .
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