SPORTS MEDICINE

SPORTS MEDICINE


Wall's Health Mart Pharmacy

About Sports Medicine

Customized medications using transdermal therapy can increase effectiveness and minimalize side effect of medications for a number of sports-related injuries and ailments. Medications can also be used in combination with therapy to improve patient recovery.


Some issues that sports medicine can address:

  • Athletes foot - Various synergistic combinations can be used in antifungal therapies.
  • Hyperhidrosis - Excessive sweating can be combatted with several topical treatment options.
  • Hemorrhoids - Symptoms can often be alleviated by combinations of internal and external

anti-inflammatories, anesthetics, and antibiotics.

  • Rehydration - Customized flavored sports drinks can meet nutritional requirements for

individuals while they undergo extreme exertion.


Two effective sports medicine therapies are iontophoresis and phonophoresis:


  • Iontophoresis allows delivery of medication into the tissues beneath the skin by electronic

transport of ionized drugs in solution. It may be considered when immediate results are needed (i.e., performance athletes and active patients). Iontophoresis may become an alternative to steroid injections to the carpal tunnel region.


  • Phonophoresis involves using a cream or gel containing medications such as corticosteroids,

local anesthetics, electrolytes, or antibiotics and applying to the treatment area and then massaged with a transducer head. The technique has been widely used in sports medicine by podiatrists, orthopedists, and physical therapists.


Medications used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and relax muscles can have side effects that are detrimental to athletic performance, such as drowsiness. However, when these medications are administered transdermally, the therapeutic benefit can be enhanced while significantly reducing the risk of adverse effects.


For example, research shows that topically applied ketoprofen (a common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) provides a high local concentration of the drug below the application site but decreases systemic exposure, thereby decreasing side effects when compared to oral NSAID administration. Muscle relaxants can be similarly prepared to minimize the risk of drowsiness, which can improve a patient’s experience and lifestyle while using the medication. Trigger point application pain may originate at the spinal level and follow a nervous pathway along an entire dermatome to the trigger point, where the sensation is perceived. Trigger point application may be useful when pain medications are administered transdermally and is especially useful for treating neuropathic pain.


Combinations to improve therapy- numerous compatible medications can be combined into a single dosage form for ease of administration. also, a synergistic effect can be achieved when certain

medications are used in combinations. Penetrant enhancers such as USP medical grade DMSO can improve the extant of absorption of topically applied medications.


Customized medications are finely tuned to cater to the individual needs of each patient, with

consideration to their lifestyle. Contact our compounding pharmacy team at our Health Mart location for information on how these treatments can benefit you.

Interested in our Sports Medicine Service?

We’re here to help!

Contact Wall's Health Mart Pharmacy
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