In our article, we will tell you which pain medications for bone fractures are most effective, as well as the rules for taking these drugs, contraindications and possible side effects. We remind you that this article is for guidance only. The treatment regimen and drug therapy for people who have received a serious injury with a fracture should be prescribed by a doctor.
First steps after injury
No need to start drinking painkiller immediately after fracture ! Call an ambulance immediately. Arriving doctors will help quickly stop an attack of acute pain and deliver the patient to the emergency room. The doctor will examine and determine the extent of damage based on the radiograph.
If the fact of violation of the integrity of the bone is confirmed, then the patient will be given a cast to fix the limb and medications, including painkillers, will be prescribed for subsequent treatment.
Why are painkillers needed for fractures ?
Even a small crack in the bone can cause severe pain to a person, not to mention a fracture. Those who have suffered a fracture-related injury at least once in their life know that only an effective pain reliever can significantly reduce the degree of suffering. In addition to helping the patient to overcome pain, analgesics solve the following problems:
- prevent fainting and traumatic shock;
- quickly stop the inflammatory process;
- help in the restoration of motor functions;
- facilitate breathing and cardiac activity;
- contribute to the acceleration of recovery processes in the damaged area.
If pain is not eliminated, then the risk of complications increases. A person suffering from pain experiences continuous tension and intense emotional stress, and this slows down recovery. Strong painkillers for fractures are necessarily included in a comprehensive treatment program.
Types of anesthesia
If a person has been diagnosed with a bone fracture, then, depending on the severity of the situation, traumatologists can resort to one of the following pain relief options:
- The use of general anesthesia. This happens in the most severe cases: fractures of the spine, hip bones and joints, as well as if a violation of the integrity of the bone is combined with other serious injuries and there is a need for surgical intervention.
- The introduction into the patient's body of a non-narcotic non-steroidal anti - inflammatory analgesic (NSAID). Similar drugs are widely prescribed as painkillers for fractures of the legs, arms, or ribs.
- The use of painkillers, which include drugs. It is practiced in difficult cases, for example, in case of rupture of muscle tissue broken by a bone, as well as for removing the patient from a shock state.
The most affordable analgesics - NSAIDs - are available in various forms: tablets, ointments, ampoules for injection, gels. They can be freely purchased at most pharmacies.
Painkillers injections
In the first hours and days after the fracture, the pain is usually very severe. In order to remove it as soon as possible, injections are used. Anesthetic injected into the body through an injection begins to act after 5-10 minutes, unlike tablets, the effect of which comes much later.
One of the most powerful drugs of the new generation, produced in ampoules, is Ketorol. Injections are most often done intramuscularly, less often intravenously. The duration of the drug is from 6 to 10 hours. Less injections with Ketorol: they can not be injected for more than 3-4 days in a row. But for the first, most painful days, this is quite enough. Then it will be possible to switch to taking pills.
The disadvantage of this method of getting rid of pain is the fact that with bone fractures, not every patient can do their own injections at home, and it seems simply impossible to go to the clinic every time for a person with a broken arm or leg. Family members, too, are often unable to help their afflicted relative without the skills and experience to carry out such procedures.
Pain Relief Pills for Fractures
Let's take a closer look at the most popular and easy-to-use painkillers effective for bone fractures. These are drugs from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, available in the form of tablets. Their effect is based on the relief of pain with the simultaneous suppression of the inflammatory process in the musculoskeletal tissues.
List of the best new generation NSAIDs:
- Xefocam. A very effective remedy that can be taken for a long time (always under the supervision of a doctor). Additional form of release: solution for injection.
- Movalis. It has a strong long-term analgesic + anti-inflammatory effect. To get rid of the pain, it is enough to take one tablet per day. It is produced not only in the form of pills, but also in ampoules (for injections) and in rectal suppositories.
- Celecoxib. Perfectly relieves pain and is suitable for long-term use. At the same time, the negative effect on the digestive tract is minimal. Release form: gelatin capsules, inside of which there is a medicinal powder.
- Nimesulide. All the advantages inherent in the above funds apply to this pain medication. Available in pill form only.
Rules for taking painkillers
In order to get the maximum benefit from such drugs and minimize harm, the following rules must be followed:
- Do not take NSAIDs with alcohol.
- Painkillers should be drunk only after meals and never on an empty stomach.
- Carefully read the instructions, study contraindications and correctly calculate the dose of the drug.
Ointment application
Painkillers for fractured arms or legs in the form of ointments are very effective in the recovery period, after the plaster is removed. The fact is that even after successful bone fusion, a limb can swell and hurt for a long time. In pharmacies, the choice of such drugs is very large. Here is a short list of the most effective ones:
- Gel "Diclofenac" - one of the most popular external remedies for fractures. It is famous for its triple effect: relieves pain, relieves swelling, treats inflammation.
- Ointment "Nurofen" - a quick-acting remedy, excellent pain relief. In some people, it causes allergic reactions.
- Ointment "Ketonal" is an excellent analgesic suitable for prolonged use, does not exert a pathological effect on the structure of living tissues.
It can be used in the first days after the injury as an anesthetic for fractured ribs. In this case, the gypsum will not be an obstacle, since it is not applied to the chest area .
What are the contraindications for the use of painkillers?
Unfortunately, the use of analgesics is not possible in some situations. Here is a list of such cases:
- Drug allergy or individual intolerance to any drugs.
- Some blood diseases.
- Severe kidney and liver disease.
- Recently suffered a heart attack.
- Pregnancy.
- Lactation period.
These contraindications can be considered relative, since strict prohibition applies only to self-medication of patients with painkillers. An experienced doctor, even in the most difficult situations, will be able to choose the right analgesic that will help the suffering person without harming him.
Possible side effects of pain medication
Sometimes, trying to get rid of pain, a person begins to swallow painkillers in handfuls. In fractures, most often physical discomfort accompanies people for a long time. However, the recommended duration of courses for most strong analgesics is small, since they have the ability to exert a number of negative effects on our body. Before taking NSAIDs uncontrollably, you need to familiarize yourself with the following list of their side effects:
- They affect blood coagulation, increase the risk of blood clots. This is especially true if the patient has atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, varicose veins. Result: increased risk of thrombosis, stroke, heart attack.
- Promotes the formation of ulcers in the stomach and duodenum. The reason for this is the blocking of the COX-1 enzyme, as a result of which the protective mucous membrane of the stomach becomes thinner, and the production of hydrochloric acid in it increases, which leads to damage to the internal walls of the organ. The danger of the described process is that peptic ulcer can be asymptomatic and may suddenly manifest severe bleeding or sharp pain, indicating a perforation of the stomach. This can threaten a person’s life.
- They cause constipation, diarrhea, bloating, nausea, and vomiting. The causes of all these symptoms are described above.
- They negatively affect the kidneys, impairing blood flow in this vital organ. Because of this, fluid is retained in the body, swelling appears, and jumps in blood pressure may occur.
No matter how great the suffering from pain during a bone fracture, you do not need to risk and violate the rules for taking pain medication indicated in the instructions.
Conclusion
With fractures, modern painkillers can significantly reduce pain or even completely remove it, but the consequences of the injury can affect throughout the rest of your life. Try to be careful, take care!