[Ibuprofen for everything? : Differential pharmacotherapy for musculoskeletal pain based on case studies].

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) represent a heterogeneous group of medication with a wide range of effects and indications. Knowledge of the basic pharmacologic properties such as the plasma half-life allows NSAIDs to be used in a more targeted manner against specific pain and causes of pain. From an orthopaedic pain management perspective, the positive impact of NSAIDs is most likely due to both the direct inhibition of the inflammatory process and its subsequent reactions and, thus, the calming of the nocigenerator, as well as the interruption of central and peripheral sensitization processes, which leads to changes in the pain threshold.