Abstract
Skeletal muscle relaxants (SMRs) consist of a heterogeneous group of medications with a side effect profile of concern. The aim of this paper was to review the evidence of use of SMRs in the treatment of sports injuries. A literature search between 2005 – 2018 (Ovid MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus and SCOPUS) were conducted. In addition, citations within articles were searched, and the most commonly prescribed SMRs in South Africa were also used to explore the literature for additional publications. Relevant studies that met the inclusion criteria were selected. Clinical recommendations for general practitioners are given based on the Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy (SORT) level of evidence. Combination drugs rather than single agents are mostly used, however the effectiveness of SMR agents, single and in combination, as well as its significance as opposed to analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, still has to be evaluated. Evidence suggest SMRs to be probably effective for use in non-specific lower back pain (acute and chronic lower back muscle strains, ligament sprains, soft tissue contusions), as well as for whiplash associated disorder, mechanical neck disorders, piriformis syndrome, lateral epicondylosis, and plantar fasciitis. It does not appear if there is a role for SMRs as part of combination management for acute cervical strains, post-exercise muscle soreness or myofacial pain syndrome. However, substantial evidence to confirm the use of SMRs in the treatment of sports injuries have not been adequately investigated and is currently largely based on case reports and general reviews.
Highlights
The escalation and interest in the range of elite and recreational sports participation over the last years lead to the number and variety of injuries sustained to increase concomitantly.[1,2,3] Regardless of increased emphasis on injury prevention in sports by way of awareness, better conditioning and specific preventative measures, injury occurrence remains a problem.[4]
S Afr Fam Pract 2018;60(5):[7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16] the aim of this paper is to review the role that skeletal muscle relaxants (SMRs) play in the management of sports injuries
SMRs consist of a heterogeneous group of medications with a side effect profile of concern
Summary
The escalation and interest in the range of elite and recreational sports participation over the last years lead to the number and variety of injuries sustained to increase concomitantly.[1,2,3] Regardless of increased emphasis on injury prevention in sports by way of awareness, better conditioning and specific preventative measures, injury occurrence remains a problem.[4]. The treatment of a sports injury aims to reduce pain, swelling, inflammation, and muscle spasm associated with injury, as well as facilitating restoration of function and return to sports.[4]. The choice of the preferred modality used may differ when treating an acute injury as opposed to a chronic injury. Some of these modalities are established and have been used widely, but many novel treatment modalities are gaining favour (Table 1)
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