Exercise vs Drugs-The Proof is in for Osteoarthritis Pain
January 24, 2023
A newly published study (Jan 2023) in The British Journal of Sports Medicine analysed whether exercise can give a similar pain relieving effect to oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or paracetamol in knee and hip osteoarthritis.
The paper is entitled:
‘Comparative efficacy of exercise therapy and oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and paracetamol for knee or hip osteoarthritis: a network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.’
The eligibility criteria for selecting the studies used in the meta- analysis were: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing exercise therapy with oral NSAIDs and paracetamol directly or indirectly in knee or hip OA. The results were obtained from a total of n=152 RCTs (17 431 participants). This large cohort gives credibility to the review.
| Previous Knowledge Base | New Findings from the meta- analysis |
| Ø Exercise is an effective treatment for osteoarthritis and is recommended as a core therapy by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and other treatment guidelines for osteoarthritis as it is a safe protocol
Ø However the pain relieving effect of exercise compared to that of oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and paracetamol, which is the most commonly used analgesic for arthritis, was unknown |
Ø A meta- analysis of 152 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) totalling 17,431 participants compared exercise with oral NSAIDs and paracetamol for knee or hip osteoarthritis
Ø Exercise has a similar analgesic effect to oral NSAIDs and paracetamol and is indeed a medicine |
In another paper published this month the jury is still out on the influence of sport, as injuries sustained have an effect on overall healthy outcomes. However the research into resistance training (using weights) PLUS aerobic exercise has concluded that a combination of both – past the age of 40 – significantly impacts on our longevity, with mortality from a number of causes ranging from cardiac arrest to stroke and some forms of cancer being up to 30% less in those individuals that participated in both types of exercise. To avoid injury choose sports that involve less acceleration and deceleration, rotation and jumping strains.
Don’t let a niggle or lack of confidence stop you from exercising, prompt treatment and the right advice can enable you to keep active so that you can keep using your body and use movement plus resistance exercise as the best medicine!
So, whatever you may, or may not, have had as a New Year Resolution – BWT is here to keep you fit, and control your pain. Your treatment plan will be hands on, but will always include the right rehab in the form of movement and strengthening regimes that incorporate proprioception and flexibility. Your body is our specialism.