Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease of the joints. So far any medication to retard the progress of the disease or to cure the disease is not found. It is a very slow developing disease. So the patient may not be aware of the disease until one has swollen and painful joints.
Since you can not cure the disease, the next best thing is to manage the disease and take pain relief measures. There are osteoarthritis pain relief gels and other painkillers are available. Consult your physician or surgeon before taking medication. The osteoarthritis pain relief gels and creams are to be applied externally. It only gives you temporary relief. It is much safer than taking the pills as gels do not have any side effects.
Some of the gels create either hot or cool sensation thus the joint feels numb and the patient feels that the pain is less. Some creams come infused with certain medication compounds. They content compounds like aspirin. The medicine is absorbed by your skin and start working. Osteoarthritis pain relief gels work best on the joints like the knee and the fingers.
Sometimes rubbing pain relief gels is not enough to control osteoarthritis pain. You have tell your doctor about all symptoms that you experience. There are medications available that can help you deal with pain such as Acetaminophen. If there is inflammation Acetaminophen can not reduce it. It will take care of your pain but the swelling will not go.
If such is the case then you will have to take NSAIDs that is nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs. These drugs reduce the swelling and relieve pain in the joints. Many NSAIDs are available over the counter but stronger versions are available only on prescription. Some of the medication that is available over the counter is known as Advil, Motrin, and Tylenol etc.
All these osteoarthritis pain relief medications work if you have moderate osteoarthritis. If you are suffering from severe kind of osteoarthritis then there are stronger painkillers are available. They are available as prescription pills, such as propoxyphene and codeine. These medications come with its side effects such as constipation, sleeplessness and dependence.
Sometimes the pain in the joint is so severe that the gels and the pills do not give any relief from pain. In such a case, the doctor can opt for cortisone injection. Though it is not clear why the cortisone injections work they generally reduce the pain in the joint. But too many of these injections can damage the joint.