Achilles Tendonitis Medication

  • Author: Laura M Gottschlich, DO; Chief Editor: Sherwin SW Ho, MD   more...
 
Updated: Aug 31, 2011
 

Medication Summary

No medical therapy of choice exists. Most patients are treated symptomatically with acetaminophen or NSAIDs as determined by the patient's medical condition and the physician's preferences.

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Analgesics/Antipyretics

Class Summary

Pain control is essential to quality patient care. Analgesics ensure patient comfort and have sedating properties, which are beneficial for patients who have sustained trauma or who have sustained injuries.

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Acetaminophen (Tylenol, Feverall, Tempra)

 

DOC for pain in patients with documented hypersensitivity to aspirin or NSAIDs, with upper GI disease, or who are taking oral anticoagulants.

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Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Class Summary

NSAIDs have analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic activities. The mechanism of action of these agents is not known, but they may inhibit cyclooxygenase activity and prostaglandin synthesis. Other mechanisms may exist as well; these may include inhibition of leukotriene synthesis, lysosomal enzyme release, lipoxygenase activity, neutrophil aggregation, and various cell-membrane functions.

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Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)

 

DOC for patients with mild to moderate pain. Inhibits inflammatory reactions and pain by decreasing prostaglandin synthesis.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Laura M Gottschlich, DO  Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin; Consulting Staff, St. Joseph Family Medicine Residency Program

Laura M Gottschlich, DO is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Sports Medicine, American Medical Association, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, and American Osteopathic Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Kevin J Eerkes, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine; Medical Team Physician, New York University Athletics

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

David Y Lin, MD  Fellow, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Section of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Campbell Clinic

David Y Lin, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Evan Schwartz, MD  Director of Orthopedic Surgery, New York Medical College; Assistant Professor, St John's Queens Hospital, Department of Surgery, Albert Einstein School of Medicine

Evan Schwartz, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

David T Bernhardt, MD  Director of Adolescent and Sports Medicine Fellowship, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics/Ortho and Rehab, Division of Sports Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

David T Bernhardt, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Sports Medicine, and American Medical Society for Sports Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Jon B Whitehurst, MD  Clinical Instructor of Surgery, University of Illinois College of Medicine; Partner, Rockford Orthopedic Associates; Orthopedic Chairman, Rockford Memorial Hospital

Jon B Whitehurst, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, and Arthroscopy Association of North America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Sherwin SW Ho, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, Section of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Chicago

Sherwin SW Ho, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy Association of North America, and Herodicus Society

Disclosure: Breg, Inc. Consulting fee Consulting; Biomet, Inc. Consulting fee Consulting; GMV, Inc. Arthroscopy Simulator Evaluation and teaching; Smith and Nephew Grant/research funds Fellowship funding; DJ Ortho Grant/research funds Course funding; Athletico Physical Therapy Grant/research funds Course, research funding

Acknowledgments

The authors and editors of Medscape Reference gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous author, Henry Marano, MD, to the development and writing of this article.

References

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