NFL players and Toradol use

[Elessar78]

I recently saw this episode of Real Sports and one of the topics was the widespread use of the painkiller Toradol in the NFL. In it, guys like Urlacher and Newberry (niners) talked about there would be long lines (20-30 players) pre-game waiting to take this shot. Unlike cortisone, toradol is a whole-body type of painkiller.

An unfortunate side effect is that players take this for existing injuries and don't feel pain, the body's natural signal that something is wrong so stop moving—exacerbating existing injuries. Another is that if you get dinged during the game you don't feel it and keep playing, goes for physical stuff and concussions.

Half the players they interviewed, like the article below didn't know the long-term consequences. The other half had "a good idea" but didn't care.

Ex-Players Suing N.F.L Over Use of Painkiller By KEN BELSON

In the latest lawsuit based on medical issues against the N.F.L., a dozen former players have accused the league and its teams of repeatedly administering the painkiller Toradol before and during games, worsening high-risk injuries like concussions.

The players also contend that the league and its teams failed to warn them of the consequences of taking the drug, a blood thinner that, according to the suit, “can prevent the feeling of injury” and therefore made it harder for players to recognize when they had concussions.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/06/sports/football/nfl-sued-by-ex-players-over-painkiller-toradol.html

[shk75]

I recently saw this episode of Real Sports and one of the topics was the widespread use of the painkiller Toradol in the NFL. In it, guys like Urlacher and Newberry (niners) talked about there would be long lines (20-30 players) pre-game waiting to take this shot. Unlike cortisone, toradol is a whole-body type of painkiller.

An unfortunate side effect is that players take this for existing injuries and don't feel pain, the body's natural signal that something is wrong so stop moving—exacerbating existing injuries. Another is that if you get dinged during the game you don't feel it and keep playing, goes for physical stuff and concussions.

Half the players they interviewed, like the article below didn't know the long-term consequences. The other half had "a good idea" but didn't care.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/06/sports/football/nfl-sued-by-ex-players-over-painkiller-toradol.html

Personally, I don't get why the NFL allows painkillers at all

[Teller]

So which is it? Do the players lineup for this painkiller? Or do they not realize it decreases their ability to feel pain? It can't be both.

Look, I sympathize with NFL athletes. I really do. They subject their bodies to, essentially, 60 car crashes a game for our entertainment. You can't do that, and not suffer lasting effects. I also realize that if you don't take the shots, somebody else will, and they'll take your job. But I just can't side with the players in this case. Seems like informed consent to me.

[GibbsFactor]

Personally, I don't get why the NFL allows painkillers at all

There wouldn't be a league. Certainly no one over the age of 30 in it. And when you have the opportunity to make millions of dollars at the risk of serious life long injury, you do it. You do it for your family, to set up your children and grandchildren. It's the price you pay.

---------- Post added January-30th-2012 at 10:19 AM ----------

So which is it? Do the players lineup for this painkiller? Or do they not realize it decreases their ability to feel pain? It can't be both.

Look, I sympathize with NFL athletes. I really do. They subject their bodies to, essentially, 60 car crashes a game for our entertainment. You can't do that, and not suffer lasting effects. I also realize that if you don't take the shots, somebody else will, and they'll take your job. But I just can't side with the players in this case. Seems like informed consent to me.

They know exactly what it does. They are knowingly sacrificing their bodies and then coming back saying they had no idea. They may be pressured by their peers and coaches and agents to take it, but they know what they are doing.

[shk75]

There wouldn't be a league. Certainly no one over the age of 30 in it. And when you have the opportunity to make millions of dollars at the risk of serious life long injury, you do it. You do it for your family, to set up your children and grandchildren. It's the price you pay.

I understand why the players would take the injections.

What I do not get is why it is allowed in the first place. These painkillers are being used in a manner that was not intended. They were not created to mask pain and then go play football. Medically this is borderline unethical and the fact the the NFL sanctions it is disgusting.

[Elessar78]

I understand why the players would take the injections.

What I do not get is why it is allowed in the first place. These painkillers are being used in a manner that was not intended. They were not created to mask pain and then go play football. Medically this is borderline unethical and the fact the the NFL sanctions it is disgusting.

This was a point made on Real Sports by the Falcons former team physician: the painkiller isn't designed to enable people to go into action after taking it.

[GibbsFactor]

PCP on the other hand...