Best Medications for Osteoarthritis
What are Best Medications for Osteoarthritis?
Medications and over-the-counter supplements have long been used to lessen the pain from osteoarthritis (OA). Before using any prescription medication, you and your family physician will need to weigh the risks and benefits of taking medication in relation to your personal preferences and health status.
The following is a summary of some common medications used for osteoarthritis:
What over-the-counter analgesics help OA?:
These medications are “pain-relievers”. The most useful is acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) which can be used in regular doses with minimal side effects and is available without prescription. This medication can be quite helpful in relieving the mild “achiness” that can often occur with osteoarthritis. See below for NSAIDs and creams that are available over the counter.
Do Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) help OA?:
These medications for osteoarthritis decrease inflammation but also relieve pain. Medical doctors usually reserve using NSAIDs for acute exacerbations of OA or if there is an obvious inflammatory component (a lot of pain and swelling). NSAIDs can play an important role in managing osteoarthritis. A two-week course medication can do wonders to settle down an acutely inflamed and swollen joint. In the sports medicine field, this short-term use of NSAIDs is similar to their use for relieving inflammation in acute sports injuries. Some NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (e.g., Motrin, Advil), are available over-the-counter. Others, such as meloxicam, are only available by prescription.
NSAIDs have a risk of irritating the stomach lining and causing ulcers, which is more of a concern in those who are older in age or who have other significant illnesses. Some NSAIDs (such as Celebrex and Vimovo) have a lower risk of ulcers and stomach side effects. NSAIDs may also have adverse effects on the cardiovascular system in older individuals especially if they have pre-existing heart problems. Before using an NSAID, you should review your situation with your family physician to ensure an NSAID is safe and appropriate for you to use.
Do Topical medications and creams help OA?:
These medications for osteoarthritis are in the form of creams or ointments. The most commonly used and most effective are topical NSAIDs (e.g., Voltaren or diclofenac cream) which can be obtained with or without a prescription. The prescribed version is stronger and should be more effective and has been validated by research. These topical NSAIDs appear to be quite safe. There are many other creams that may act as temporary pain relievers (e.g., Biofreeze) and may be of some use for some patients but there is not much research conducted that prove their effectiveness. Other creams, such as capsaicin, do have some research showing they can relieve pain to some degree.
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Comprehensive
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A very important part of treating your sports injury or osteoarthritis is understanding as much as possible about your condition or injury, and then being well-informed about the treatment options available to you.
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These injections harness your body’s own tissue (e.g., growth factors, hormones, stem cells) to power the healing and regeneration of the injured body part.
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SPORTS MEDICINE
Physicians at GRSM specialize in sports medicine and are certified with the Canadian Academy of Sport & Exercise Medicine (CASEM) . Our physicians provide expert medical care for both high performance athletes, recreational athletes and active individuals.
PHYSIOTHERAPY
Physiotherapy at GRSM focuses on sport- and activity-specific rehabilitation. Our goal is to return you to your activity as soon and as safely as possible.
CHIROPRACTIC
Active Release Therapy is a patented, state-of-the-art massage technique. The technique is soft tissue system/movement-based and treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves.
MASSAGE THERAPY
Our Registered Massage Therapists use preventative and restorative therapies to help you maintain, rehabilitate and improve physical function or relieve your pain.
ATHLETIC THERAPY
Our Certified Athletic Therapists use a full range of treatments to rehabilitate, prevent injury and help you return safely to your sports and other activities.
FOOT ORTHOTICS
Our pedorthists are trained in assessing, casting, design and fitting of foot appliances (orthotics) and in fitting of footwear to reduce painful and debilitating conditions of the lower limbs and feet.