Find out the latest on acute musculoskeletal pain in this new 1 hour module
In the primary care setting, early management of acute musculoskeletal (MSK) pain focuses on relieving symptoms, restoring function, and preventing transition from acute to chronic pain.1,2 NSAIDs play a key role in managing acute MSK pain but remain underutilised in practice. Concerns around adverse events often drive this hesitancy, yet these can be minimised through NSAID selection tailored to individual patient risk profiles.3,4
This module presents two case studies: a young man with acute low back pain, and an older woman with acute pain due to an ankle sprain following a fall. GPs and other primary healthcare providers will be updated on the latest evidence to support comprehensive assessment and diagnosis of acute MSK pain and implementation of evidence-based strategies to manage these presentations effectively within the primary care setting.
References:
- International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP). Preventing pain: an introduction. Available at: https://www.iasp-pain.org/resources/fact-sheets/preventing-pain-an-introduction/. Accessed August 2025.
- Clinical Excellence Commission. Opioid stewardship: Acute pain management. Acute pain assessment. Available at: https://www.cec.health.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/973403/Acute-pain-assessment.pdf. Accessed August 2025.
- Australian Therapeutic Guidelines: Pain and Analgesia, 2020.
- ANZCA, PS41(G) Position statement on acute pain management 2023.
