Topical Creams for Osteoarthritis 

David Hunter, rheumatologist

There are a number of different topical medications that can be used in a context of treating a person's osteoarthritis or a related pain they include topical anti-inflammatories such as topical voltaren-gel a topical feldene gel which can be rubbed on the affected area and are a good means of relieving a person's pain, particularly in the context of where a person has got gastrointestinal or cardiovascular risk profiles such they shouldn't be taking the anti-inflammatory as a tablet. Another topical medication that can be used is that of capsaicin a product that's derived from the red pepper and it's helpful and chain terms of changing nerve related pain that comes from many different instances including osteoporosis related pain. 

Risks & Benefits 

David Hunter, rheumatologist 

So the risks and benefits in using topical anti-inflammatories the risks include developing an allergic reaction to some of the substance  within the ointment itself the benefit and  the overwhelming benefit is out of the relief of pain that can come as consequence of that  topical anti-inflammatory. The risk in using topical capsaicin includes if you put it on an area that you're not meant to put it on so for example if you rub your eyes shortly after using the ointment it's incredibly irritant and will cause a local reaction, similarly if you rub other more sensitive parts of your  body particularly in the groin related area you're likely to find that it's incredibly uncomfortable for a long period of time