Is Naproxen Good For Knee Pain

Nsaid Ranked Most Effective Nonsurgical Treatment For Knee Osteoarthritis

A recent meta-analysis compared acetaminophen, cortisone injections, platelet-rich plasma, hyaluronic acid, and several NSAIDs.

An estimated 45% of Americans are at risk for the development of knee osteoarthritis in their lifetime. According to a network meta-analysis published in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons , the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug naproxen was ranked most effective in individual knee OA treatment for improving both pain and function, and is considered a relatively safe and low-cost treatment.

Nonsurgical treatments for knee OA supported by previous research evidence include strength training, low-impact aerobic exercises, NSAIDs, and weight loss in individuals with a body mass index over 25. This new research analyzed data from multiple trials to determine the relative effectiveness of various nonsurgical treatments for knee OA. The treatments that were compared and ranked included acetaminophen ibuprofen intra-articular injections of cortisone platelet-rich plasma hyaluronic acid several NSAIDs, such as naproxen, celecoxib, and diclofenac and both oral and IA placebo.

For pain reduction, cortisone injections provided the greatest short-term pain relief, followed by ibuprofen, PRP injections, naproxen, and celecoxib.

Naproxen ranked the highest for probability for improving function, followed by diclofenac, celecoxib, ibuprofen, and PRP injections.

Which Is Safer For The Gut

To sum it up, has a slightly lower risk of causing ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding compared to naproxen. With any NSAID, take the lowest effective dose and avoid using it long term. And if you have to use an NSAID for more than a few days, add protection for the stomach with a proton-pump inhibitor drug like , , or .

How Are Nsaids And Coxibs Used

There are a number of different NSAIDs and coxibs. The table below lists the names and doses of the drugs that are most commonly used to relieve osteoarthritis pain:

Experts recommend that you only use these medications when the pain is bad rather than using them continuously. That can lower the risk of side effects.

Its best to start at a low dose and increase it if necessary. Its important not to exceed the maximum daily dose of a drug.

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The Role Physical Therapy Plays In The Process

Physical therapy is definitely beneficial. Improving range of motion and strength in the knee are helpful, but physical therapy for knee osteoarthritis has a large focus on strengthening the hips, explains Dr. Day.

Weak hips put more pressure on the knees. If your hips are strong, when you get up from a chair or go up and down stairs your knees have less work to do.

Everyone with knee osteoarthritis should consult a physical therapist, according to Dr. Day. Not only will you be taught the right kinds of exercises, a physical therapist also provides valuable instruction about using assistive devices and modifying activities to reduce pain.

What About Taking Ibuprofen Before Exercise

You may be tempted to try to prevent exercise pain by taking ibuprofen or other medications before you start your activity. Experts say this isn’t a good idea. Aside from the side effects that you might experience from taking medications, research shows that taking ibuprofen before exercise may worsen damage to your body’s tissues and delay healing.

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Who Can And Cannot Take Naproxen

Most adults can be prescribed naproxen.

It can also be prescribed to children to treat:

• muscle and bone disorders for babies from 1 month
• diseases of the joints for children from 2 years
• period pain for children under 15

Adults and teenagers aged 15 and over can buy it from a pharmacy for period pain.

Naproxen is not suitable for certain people. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you:

• have had an allergic reaction to naproxen or any other medicines in the past
• have had an allergic reaction to aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines , such as ibuprofen
• have or have had stomach ulcers, bleeding in the stomach or intestines, or a hole in your stomach
• have a blood clotting disorder
• are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding

Maximum Recommended Daily Dose

People should only use OTC naproxen for a short-term period of between 35 days for pain and no more than 3 days for fever. If they need ongoing treatment, people should consult their doctor first.

For children between 212 years old, the maximum daily dose by weight is 20 mg/kg. They should not be taking more than 1,000 mg in 24 hours.

When OTC medications, children 12 years and older should not take more than 660 mg in 24 hours.

Studies have not shown any benefit in using daily doses higher than 1,000 mg, but some sources suggest a maximum of

• blood clots

People with high blood pressure should only take naproxen cautiously.

Naproxen can cause sodium retention in the kidneys, which can result in increased blood pressure. A person with high blood pressure should consult their doctor before taking naproxen.

Gastrointestinal side effects of taking naproxen can be severe. Bleeding in the stomach, the formation of ulcers, and stomach or intestinal blockages can occur when taking naproxen. Most often, older adults are the most vulnerable age group for gastrointestinal side effects.

People who have a history of ulcers or gastrointestinal bleeding have a 10-fold higher risk for developing a bleed when taking naproxen. For these individuals, even short-term treatment can be risky.

Naproxen may interact with several prescription and nonprescription drugs. Drinking alcohol and taking naproxen may increase the risk of gastrointestinal side effects.

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What Are The Side Effects Of Naprosyn

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. A medical professional can advise you on side effects. If you experience other effects, contact your pharmacist or a medical professional. You may report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.

All drugs have side effects associated with their use, although you may not experience any side effects. These are some common and severe side effects that can occur when taking Naprosyn.

Side Effects And Diet And Exercise Not Considered

While the study did not consider side effects of drugs like naproxen, including the well-known effects on the heart, vascular, and intestinal systems, Dr. Jevsevar noted that naproxen has the lowest risk of cardiac events compared to similar drugs.

The study also did not include weight loss and exercise, which a 2005 study in Arthritis & Rheumatism found to be two of the most effective ways to manage KOA.

The good news is that for many people with KOA, taking naproxen to ease the pain enough to allow you to participate in an exercise and weight loss program could be the best way to achieve long-term relief from your knee osteoarthritis.

It should be noted that Dr. Jevsevar receives research support from DePuy Synthes, a maker of joint reconstruction products, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, the makers of naproxen.

At Healthcare Associates of Texas, we specialize in finding the optimal treatment for you. Our osteoarthritis specialists will help you manage your pain and find the best long-term therapy for your KOA. Call our Appointment Line at 258-7499 orcontact us by email.

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Cautions With Other Medicines

There are some medicines that can affect the way naproxen works.

Tell your doctor if you’re taking:

• other anti-inflammatory medicines, such as aspirin or ibuprofen
• medicines that help to prevent blood clots, such as warfarin or rivaroxaban
• steroids, such as prednisolone
• medicines that make you pee more , such as furosemide
• medicines used to treat heart problems and high blood pressure
• antidepressants, such as citalopram
• medicine used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, such as methotrexate

Understanding Inflammation In Healing: Chronic Inflammation Will Continue Trying To Heal Something It Cant

To understand the above studies and why you have may still be experiencing pain despite increased dosage is to understand that you have passed the point of pain management and repair homeostasis in your painful or spine. Homeostasis simply means balance. You are degenerating faster than your body can heal.

Understanding inflammation in healing: Chronic inflammation will continue trying to heal something it cant.

• The bodys healing response is inflammation. Inflammation fixes injuries. Inflammation will turn on and continue staying on until the joint injury is healed. If you have reached the point of j your joint and spine breaking down faster than your body can fix it then the inflammatory mechanism will be stuck in the open position, chronic inflammation will continue trying to heal something it cant.

Naturally occurring inflammation is filled with quick-acting chemicals. Lets stress that these are quick acting and not long-term. One characteristic of inflammation is its use of powerful corrosives to remove dead and dying tissue.

• If inflammation becomes chronic, naturally occurring powerful corrosives start eating away at your joint. This is the degenerative process.

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Who May Not Be Able To Take Naproxen

Naproxen is not suitable for some people. To make sure it’s safe for you, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you:

• have ever had an allergic reaction to naproxen or any other medicine
• have ever had an allergic reaction to aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , such as ibuprofen
• have or have had stomach ulcers, bleeding in the stomach or intestines, or a hole in your stomach

Where To Turn For Pain Relief

The first line of treatment for many knee and hip problems includes taking over-the-counter pain medications. Acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen are the most common pain medication options. However, these pain medications have a variety of side effects, so it’s important to discuss your personal health risks with your doctor when considering long-term use for chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis.

Acetaminophen is usually effective for mild pain and is easy on the stomach. However, it is toxic to the liver at high doses. The recommended maximum per day is generally set at 4 grams , which is the equivalent of eight extra-strength Tylenol tablets. But that dosage can still cause liver problems for some people. To be safe, aim for 3,000 milligrams or less, and be cautious of mixing multiple products containing acetaminophen, such as a pain reliever and a cold medication or a prescribed narcotic.

The FDA now recommends using products containing no more than 325 milligrams per pill or capsule in order to avoid excessive dosages. Don’t take acetaminophen if you drink more than a moderate amount of alcohol on a regular basis or if you have liver disease.

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Important Information About All Medicines

Using Naproxen For Chronic Pain Management

Naproxen is the generic name for a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is used to treat mild to moderate pain and inflammation. It is available for over-the-counter purchase, however, stronger prescription formulations are also available for more severe pain. Naproxen is often used to treat pain for such conditions as arthritis, bursitis, ankylosing spondylitis, tendonitis, gout, or menstrual cramps. Naproxen may also be known under the following brand names, according to RXList:

• Aleve

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Stopping Nsaid Usage Is Seen As A Way To Help Patients Avoid Joint Replacement Surgery And Worsening Pain

At the Veterans Affairs of the Connecticut Healthcare System and Yale School of Medicine, a study is underway. The study is titled:

• Discontinuing a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug in patients with knee osteoarthritis: Design and protocol of a placebo-controlled, noninferiority, randomized withdrawal trial.

The hypothesis of this study, that is what the researchers are confident they will find is that a placebo will be just as effective as meloxicam, a commonly prescribed anti-inflammatory medication.

• If the researchers can show this, then they can show, NSAIDs do not offer benefits and the need and way to get patients to stop using NSAIDs must be explored.

This is from the study:

• Knee osteoarthritis is the most common cause of knee pain in older adults. Despite the limited data supporting their use, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are among the most commonly prescribed medications for knee osteoarthritis.
• The use of NSAIDs for knee pain warrants careful examination because of toxicity associated with this class of medications. . .This study is the first clinical trial to date examining the effects of withdrawing an NSAID for osteoarthritis knee pain. If successful, this trial will provide evidence against the continued use of NSAIDs in patients with osteoarthritis knee pain.

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What Really Solves Knee Pain The Answer Might Surprise You

The pill most often prescribed for knee pain acetaminophen may not help at all, researchers reported Monday.

The new study of what works for arthritis pain in the knee came up with some surprising results. The most common treatments often may not help much, and even a placebo injection of salt water provides more pain relief than any pill.

The findings go against what many doctors have long believed, although they didnt surprise veteran knee surgeons, who know pain relief varies greatly from one patient to another.

All treatments except acetaminophen showed clinically significant improvement from baseline pain.”

Dr. Raveendhara Bannuru and colleagues at Tufts Medical Center near Boston looked at thousands of studies on various treatments for knee pain, from acetaminophen the active ingredient in Tylenol to ibuprofen to steroid injections.

Finding the scientific truths is tricky. Theres not much incentive for drug companies to test generic, over-the-counter drugs such as naproxen, and theres also not much reason to test an injection of a steroid against a generic treatment such as hyaluronic acid, a kind of joint lubricant.

But the team came up with 137 studies covering 33,000 people that met some high standards theyd been blinded, meaning the doctors didnt know which treatment a patient actually got as they evaluated pain, stiffness and range of motion.

And most compared treatment to placebo a dummy pill or dummy injection.

Who Can Take Naproxen

Most adults can take naproxen. It can also be prescribed to children to treat:

• muscle and bone disorders for babies from 1 month
• conditions which affect the joints for children from 2 years
• period pain for children under 15

Adults and teenagers aged 15 and over can buy it from a pharmacy for period pain.

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What Other Medications Interact With Naprosyn

Using certain other medications may affect how Naprosyn works or increase your risk of side effects.

Avoid taking Naprosyn with other drugs in the same class . Taking more than one NSAID at a time is dangerous. There is a much higher risk of side effects and an even greater risk of liver and kidney failure.

Several other drugs may interact with Naprosyn, including but not limited to:

• Probenecid
• Certain heart medications
• Diuretics
• Digoxin
• Lithium

Naprosyn can increase the concentration of drugs like digoxin and lithium in the blood when taken together. You should also be aware that Naprosyn can reduce the effectiveness of other medications such as ACE inhibitors, ARBs, beta-blockers, and diuretics.

Additionally, minor interactions can occur if taking Naprosyn with certain antacids or cholestyramine. Both drugs can delay the absorption of naproxen in the body.

Always inform your prescriber about your current medications, especially if youre taking any of the drugs listed above.

How To Get Moving Every Day

In addition to physical therapy, its critical to incorporate regular exercise into your daily routine.

Joints are built to move, says Dr. Day. The evidence shows that people who are least active have more arthritis pain than people who do some form of exercise. Choose lower-impact activities, such as bicycling, swimming or exercising in a pool.

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