No, in most cases anti-inflammatory drugs (like ibuprofen or naproxen) don't help healing. In fact, in some cases it may even delay healing. Why people (mistakenly) think that anti-inflammatories can help heal sports injuries?
Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
NSAIDs have an anti-proliferative effect on blood vessels and skin, thereby delaying healing rate.
By taking anti-inflammatories for an injured muscle, you inhibit the inflammation and therefore the process of getting rid of the damaged cells. This has a knock-on effect on the formation of new cells to rebuild the injured part of the muscle, and so the whole healing process is compromised.
NSAID EFFECTS ON TENDON AND LIGAMENT HEALING. NSAIDs are commonly used to treat pain and swelling associated with minor as well as major tendon and ligament injuries.
NSAIDs block the production of certain body chemicals that cause inflammation. NSAIDs are good at treating pain caused by slow tissue damage, such as arthritis pain. NSAIDs also work well fighting back pain, menstrual cramps and headaches.
Daily or long-term use has been linked to health risks, such as: Gastrointestinal damage: NSAIDs can damage the stomach lining, leading to issues like bleeding and ulcers. Heart attack and stroke: NSAIDs increase your risk of heart attack and stroke by increasing blood pressure.
Although most people who take anti-inflammatories have no serious side effects, chronic use raises your possibility of easy bleeding or bruising, rash, and severe liver damage. Pregnant moms should steer clear of anti-inflammatories too, as they can cause problems in unborn babies.
Rest. The generally accepted wisdom on how to initially treat a ligament injury can be summed up in one acronym: RICE, which stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.
Anti inflammatory medicines should only be considered for use 48 hours after an injury has occurred. If they're used before this time, they may affect the healing process in some conditions.
The inflammatory response: (1) prevents the spread of damaging agents to nearby tissues (2) disposes of cell debris and pathogens and (3) sets the stage for the repair process.
Medications that have been reported to delay wound healing include anticoagulants, antimicrobials, various antibiotic classes, bevacizumab, aflibercept, antineoplastic agents, chemotherapeutics, immunosuppressants, and colchicine.
It works by pooling diclofenac on the surface of the skin, the medicine then penetrates the underlying tissues, targeting the inflamed tissues (e.g. around the joint to relieve pain, reduce inflammation and speed healing) to relieve pain, decrease swelling and support the healing process.
Patients are often instructed not to take ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) before or after surgery because of increased bleeding risk.
Acute soft tissue injuries are common and costly. The best drug treatment for such injuries is not certain, although non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often recommended.
Paracetamol has been proven to be an effective and safe analgesic that does not interfere with the healing process, and should be the first choice of analgesia.
In many cases, injuries to tendon and ligaments such as common sprains and strains heal without surgical intervention. However, the process is often slow and results in the formation of inferior scar tissue, which can take years to remodel into more functional tissue.
Many physical therapists and doctors recommend walking as an exercise to help relieve pain and stiffness after an MCL sprain, mainly if it is a grade II sprain. The MCL helps support the knee, and it is important to walk as soon as possible after the injury. Walking is beneficial in the healing process of MCL sprains.
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a major ligament in the knee.
Mild ligament sprains can take two to four weeks to heal, and moderate sprains may take more than ten weeks. If surgery is needed, the healing time increases from six months to a year.
The long-term prognosis for ligament tears with the proper treatment is good. Level 1 and level 2 sprains will often be fully recovered within three to eight weeks, meaning you should be able to return to your normal activities and have full mobility in that time.
1. Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids , which are abundant in fatty fish such as salmon or tuna, are among the most potent anti-inflammatory supplements. These supplements may help fight several types of inflammation, including vascular inflammation.
You shouldn't take ibuprofen if you: have a history of a strong, unpleasant reaction (hypersensitivity) to aspirin or other NSAIDs. have a current or recent stomach ulcer, or you have had one in the past. have severe heart failure.