To minimize the risks of opioid analgesic treatment, physicians must be aware of its contraindications and must regularly reassess its efficacy and side effects. Pharmacotherapy should be combined with other types of treatment.

The pharmacological treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a purely symptomatic therapy, which often ensures that the mobility of the patient is successfully retained. This article refers to the recommendations and opinions regarding the pharmacotherapy of knee OA contained in the new guideline of the Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany (AWMF), highlighting several important aspects and describing the considerations underlying the decision-making process. With this article it is hoped that therapeutic effectiveness can be realistically estimated, that any risks of medication errors and avoidable side effects can be reduced, and that further helpful measures can be taken into consideration.

Responsible application of opioid-containing analgesics requires consideration of possible indications and contraindications, as well as regular assessment of efficacy and adverse effects. Neither an uncritical increase in opioid application, nor the global rejection of opioid-containing analgesics is justified in patients with CNCP.

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Purpose: Non-specific low back pain is one of the leading public health problems worldwide. With respect to the duration of pain, it is generally divided into acute, subacute, and chronic. While physical exercises are promoted as a non-pharmacologic treatment in the chronic state, the actual literature refuses specific exercises in the acute phase. However, there is a lack of data concerning the effect of structured training programs in these patients. The present study investigated the influence of a structured and supervised strength-endurance program on pain intensity and quality of life in non-specific, acute, subacute, and chronic low back pain patients. Methods: 1147 adult patients of both sexes entered the multi-centered, controlled, and randomized training intervention. The control group was advised to maintain a physically active lifestyle. The eight-week, two-times per week training intervention consisted of a circle with eight strengthendurance and two endurance exercises for back-pain relevant muscle groups. In each session, the Original Research Article