Arthritis and NSAIDs for Pain Relief
Joint pain from arthritis
In general, arthritis is a condition that involves any inflammation of joints. In the back, facet joint osteoarthritis can be a very painful condition. Facet joint osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) causes a breakdown of cartilage between the facet joints in the back and generally occurs in adults over the age of 60. When the joints move, the lack of cartilage causes pain as well as loss of motion and stiffness.NSAID medications for osteoarthritis
The most frequently prescribed medications for arthritis pain are NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). This class of medication is important for the treatment of arthritis (both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis) pain because NSAIDs are both analgesic (painkillers) and have an anti-inflammatory effect. It is estimated that 2 to 4 million Americans use NSAIDs on a daily basis, and that over 20% of the elderly (65 and older) population use these medications daily. COX-2 inhibitors are one popular type of NSAID used for arthritis pain.Side effects of NSAID medications for osteoarthritis
However, it is important to note that there are major side effects and toxicity related to use of traditional NSAID’s. Toxic side effects of traditional NSAID's include:-
Stomach ulceration and/or bleeding
-
Kidney damage
-
Easy bruising because of loss of platelet function.
Serious toxicity (leading to hospitalization or death) from NSAID use occurs for an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 people per year. Moreover, it is estimated that approximately 10,000 to 20,000 deaths per year are related to NSAID use.
Article continues below