Abstract

Today’s compounding pharmacists offer new therapies that can minimize tissue damage from sports injuries and ensure a rapid return to fitness. Some formulations can be used before exercise or competition to ready the body for increased physical stress. Others can be applied shortly after injury to enhance healing. Sports injuries fall into one of two types: acute injuries caused by traumatic contact during competition, and chronic injuries caused by repetitive stress and/or improper style. Examples of treatments for these injuries are ketoprofen 10%, 15%, or 20% in Pluronic lecithin organogel to treat sprains, strains, and inflammation; dexamethasone 0.4% in an aqueous solution for iontophoresis to treat sprains, strains, and inflammation; acetic acid 2% or 4% in an aqueous solution administered by iontophoresis to reduce scar tissue; baclofen 5%, lidocaine 10%, and guaifenesin 10% or 20% in Pluronic lecithin organogel to prevent muscle cramps; lidocaine 4%, epinephrine 0.05%, and tetracaine 0.5% in a spray or hydroxyethylcellulose gel to treat cuts and abrasions; and muscle relaxant guaifenesin (10% or 20%) or cyclobenzaprine (0.5%, 1%, or 2%) in Pluronic lecithin organogel to treat muscle strain. These customized preparations are not commercially available.

Related Keywords

• Jane Vail
• sports injuries
• rehabilitation
• athletes
• topical preparations
• abrasions
• overuse injuries
• wound healing
• soft-tissue injuries
• inflammation
• pain
• prevention
• preventive care
• sprains and strains

Related Categories

• PAIN MANAGEMENT
• SPORTS MEDICINE