There is mounting evidence suggesting that the commonly used analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), may inhibit new bone formation with physical training and increase risk of stress fractures in physically active populations. Stress fractures are thought to occur when bones are subjected to repetitive mechanical loading, which can lead to a cycle of tissue microdamage, repair, and continued mechanical loading until fracture. Adaptive bone formation, particularly on the periosteal surface of long bones, is a concurrent adaptive response of bone to heightened mechanical loading that can improve the fatigue resistance of the skeletal structure, and therefore may play a critical role in offsetting the risk of stress fracture. Reports from animal studies suggest that NSAID administration may suppress this important adaptive response to mechanical loading. These observations have implications for populations such as endurance athletes and military recruits who are at risk of stress fracture and whose use of NSAIDs is widespread. However, results from human trials evaluating exercise and bone adaptation with NSAID consumption have been less conclusive. In this review, we identify knowledge gaps that must be addressed to further support NSAID-related guidelines intended for at-risk populations and individuals.
Keywords: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; bone; cyclooxygenase; mechanical loading; prostaglandins; stress fracture.