No evidence for ice or NSAIDs in management of soft-tissue injuries

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In print

Sports medicine

No evidence for ice or NSAIDs in management of soft-tissue injuries

March 2025

Steve Targett

Wednesday 26 February 2025, 12:40 AM

The acronym RICE has become entrenched in the management of soft-tissue injuries [Image: Kindel Media on Pexels]

Sports physician Steve Targett looks at how acronyms used to describe the management of acute soft-tissue injuries have changed over the years

Key points, Acute management of soft-tissue injuries should include protection (rather than prolonged rest), elevation, compression and education. Load optimisa, Pract Green w Pale Yellow

Musculoskeletal

References

1. Racinais S, Dablainville V, Rousse Y, et al. Cryotherapy for treating soft tissue injuries in sport medicine: a critical review. Br J Sports Med 2024;58(20):1215–23.

2. Mirkin G, Hoffman M. The Sports Medicine Book. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company; 1978.

3. Bleakley CM, Glasgow P, MacAuley DC. PRICE needs updating, should we call the POLICE? Br J Sports Med 2012;46(4):220–21.

4. Dubois B, Esculier JF. Soft-tissue injuries simply need PEACE and LOVE. Br J Sports Med 2020;54(2):72–73.

5. Mackey AL, Mikkelsen UR, Magnusson SP, Kjaer M. Rehabilitation of muscle after injury – the role of anti-inflammatory drugs. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2012;22(4):e8–14.

How to Treat

+How to treat

Many people travel to high-altitude destinations, meaning clinicians are often faced with questions about how to prevent and treat altitude illness. Update your knowledge with this New Zealand Society of Travel Medicine summary of updated evidence-based guidelines with comments by senior lecturer Jenny Visser – it outlines the best prophylactic regimens, diagnostic approaches and treatment protocols for acute altitude illness

Wednesday 26 February 2025, 12:45 AM