Up there, Cazaly: Are painkiller injections in sport safe?

Players face complications from exposure to local anaesthetics
AFL
West Coast Eagles defender Jeremy McGovern received six painkilling injections so he could play in last year’s AFL grand final. Photo: Getty Images

Australian researchers have queried the long-term safety of painkilling injections administered in professional sport to enable injured players to immediately return to the field.

In a systematic review, they found an association between injections to knee joints, thumbs, wrists and ankles and later complications.