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Living With Pain

Defining Musculoskeletal Pain

Musculoskeletal pain is pain that affects the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and bones.


Acute Musculoskeletal Pain

This type of pain may accompany surgery, injury, tissue damage, or inflammation. By definition, acute pain lasts less than 3 months, but it may last longer even while healing. Although pain is never thought of as a good thing, acute pain plays a vital role in providing a warning that something is wrong and should be examined further. Acute pain is typically sudden, but it is self-limiting and typically resolves over days to weeks. Acute pain is important to manage, as inadequately controlled acute pain can be a factor in the development of chronic pain.


Examples of Musculoskeletal Pain



Bone Pain

  • Usually deep, penetrating, or dull
  • Most commonly results from injury

Muscle Pain

  • May include muscle spasms; can be debilitating
  • Can be caused by an injury, an autoimmune reaction, infection, or a tumor, loss of blood flow to the muscle

Tendon and Ligament Pain

  • Often caused by injuries (such as sprains)
  • Often becomes worse when the affected area is stretched or moved

Joint Pain

  • Stiff, aching, arthritic pain
  • Ranges from mild to severe and worsens with movement
  • Swelling and joint inflammation (such as arthritis) are common causes

Reference:
Villa-Forte, A. Musculoskeletal Pain. Merck Manual Consumer Version. Updated 2/2021. Accessed 5/2021.
URL: https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/bone-joint-and-muscle-disorders/symptoms-of-musculoskeletal-disorders/musculoskeletal-pain



IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION (ISI) ▲ expand

What is the most important information I should know about Norgesic®?

Norgesic® tablets may cause serious side effects, including:

  • Rare but serious bleeding due to the aspirin content
  • Life-threatening skin reactions
  • Life-threatening allergic reactions

Stop taking Norgesic® and call your healthcare provider or get emergency help right away if you have any of these symptoms: rash, fever, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Use caution until you know how Norgesic® affects you. It may impair your ability to drive or use other machinery.

Do not take Norgesic® if you have any of the following:
  • Glaucoma (an eye disease)
  • Blockage in your digestive tract (pyloric or duodenal obstruction)
  • Achalasia (a rare disorder of the esophagus)
  • Enlarged prostate (prostatic hypertrophy)
  • Blockage that results in trouble urinating (obstruction of the bladder neck)
  • Myasthenia gravis (a disorder of the muscles and nerves)
  • Allergy or sensitivity to orphenadrine, aspirin, caffeine, or any other ingredient in Norgesic®
    (see Full Prescribing Information for complete list)

Before taking Norgesic®, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including active viral infection (such as chicken pox, flu, or flu-like symptoms), stomach ulcer, bleeding problems, or pregnancy (or plans to become pregnant).

Talk to your healthcare provider if you are considering taking Norgesic® during pregnancy. You should not take Norgesic® after 29 weeks of pregnancy.

What are the possible side effects of Norgesic®?

Common side effects of Norgesic® include increased heart rate (tachycardia), strong or rapid heartbeat (palpitations), trouble urinating (urinary hesitancy or retention), dry mouth, blurred vision, weakness, nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, constipation, or drowsiness.

These are not all the possible side effects of Norgesic®. Please see the Full Prescribing Information for the complete list of side effects or speak with your healthcare provider for medical advice or more information.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

INDICATION

Norgesic® is a prescription medicine for the relief of mild to moderate pain due to acute disorders of the muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, or tendons. Norgesic® tablets should be used along with rest, physical therapy, and other measures to help relieve discomfort associated with such conditions. Norgesic® is not recommended in children under 12 years of age.

Please see the Full Prescribing Information.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.