The use of topical anti-inflammatories for knee arthritis. Move over Advil!
November 8th, 2007 | by Peter Salob, M.D. |
One of the hallmark treatments for knee osteoarthritis (mechanical wearing away of the knee cartilage) has been oral anti-inflammatories (also called NSAIDS). This includes the over the counter medications (Advil, Motrin, Aleve, Tylenol …) and the prescription medications (Celebrex, Relafen, Naprosyn, Mobic, …). Use of these medications have led to millions of visits to the hospital emergency rooms due to their numerous side effects (stomach ulcers, kidney failures, gastric reflux to name a few). Recent studies have shown that topical anti-inflammatories have the same benefit as the oral medications with far fewer side effects. Nimesulide Gel 1% is the most recentely released topical NSAID has been creating a huge buzz in rheumatology and orthopedic offices around the world. A recent study from the Journal of Rhemotolgy showed that there was a signification improvement in patients that were treated with Nimesulide Gel topical anti-inflammatory.
Tags: advil, celebrex, Knee, motrin, nimesulide gel, NSAID, Osteoarthritis