Common painkillers can make the misery of osteoarthritis even worse, according to new research. Ibuprofen, naproxen and diclofenac are prescribed to relieve aching joints, but they may aggravate inflammation of the knee over time.
They belong to a class of medications known as NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). The study, based on over 1,000 patients, is one of the first to investigate the long term effects.
Lead author Dr Johanna Luitjens, of the University of California, San Francisco, said: "To date, no curative therapy has been approved to cure or reduce the progression of knee osteoarthritis. NSAIDs are frequently used to treat pain, but it is still an open discussion of how NSAID use influences outcomes for osteoarthritis patients.
