Current sports medicine reports
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The role of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) in pain and inflammation has been evaluated in many forms over the last decade. Emerging evidence shows that this class of medications has different effects depending on injury type: bone, ligament, tendon, and muscle. ⋯ It is clear that the side effect profile changes within the subclasses of NSAID, nonspecific cyclo-oxygenase-1 and 2 (COX-1 and COX-2) inhibitors, and more selective COX-2 inhibitors. Safe and effective alternatives may include topical NSAID and acetaminophen.
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The sudden death of a young athlete on the playing field remains the most devastating medical event in sports, with compelling reasons to implement effective preventive strategies. Preparticipation screening is widely practiced, but universal agreement regarding the most appropriate method for cardiovascular screening is lacking. ⋯ However, complex issues regarding feasibility, false positive results, cost-effectiveness, and physician and health system infrastructure still remain regarding large-scale implementation of ECG screening in the United States. When used, ECG interpretations based on modern criteria to distinguish abnormal findings from physiologic alterations in athletes must be applied to ensure acceptable accuracy.