Individual and population differences affect the pain management in acute musculoskeletal injury

Abstract

In this editorial, we comment on the article published in a recent issue of the World Journal of Orthopedics. Although substantial literature regarding pain management of acute musculoskeletal injury has been published over the last three decades, there is still a lack of evidence-based protocol for individual and population disparities. This systematic review gives us a comprehensive view of the evidence-based use of opioid vs opioid-free analgesia. Nevertheless, there is still a need for further investigation at a high level regarding this topic.

Keywords: Acute musculoskeletal injury; Acute traumatic pain; Non-opioid analgesia; Non-opioid pain control; Opioid-sparing analgesia; Opioid crisis

Core Tip: For patients sustaining pain from acute musculoskeletal injury, non-opioids can be considered an alternative to opioids for short-term pain management of acute musculoskeletal injury. We need to be aware that pain intensity may vary widely from different injury patterns, age groups, and other baseline characteristics. Individual and population differences affect the pain management in acute musculoskeletal injury.