Is OTC Knee Pain Treatment Effective for My Condition?
Are OTC Meds for Joint Pain Effective?
If you’re experiencing knee pain, your first response might be to reach for over the counter (OTC) pain medication. This includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) like Ibuprofen and Advil, or pain relievers like Tylenol. Each type of OTC analgesic works differently to control pain. NSAIDs like Ibuprofen block the effects of prostaglandins to reduce pain and swelling. Other analgesics, like Tylenol, change the way the body senses pain, but don’t reduce inflammation.
So, the answer to whether OTC pain meds will relieve your knee pain depends on what’s causing your pain and which medicine you use. It’s very important to get a proper diagnosis for knee joint pain, since the wrong medicine can have harmful side effects, and can also numb pain that needs immediate attention. NSAIDs carry risks like gastrointestinal problems, heart attack, stroke, allergic reaction, kidney problems, bruising, and negative drug interaction. See a knee specialist before starting an OTC medicine regimen.
Does Ibuprofen Help with Joint Pain?
Ibuprofen is helpful for certain types of knee joint pain, but it isn’t safe or effective for every patient. If you experience new mild knee pain, particularly after strenuous activity, Ibuprofen might help relieve inflamed knee muscles. But if OTC medicine doesn’t relieve your pain within a few days, call your knee specialist for an assessment. Ibuprofen is not intended for long term use without the approval of your doctor.
For some patients, Ibuprofen isn’t advised at all, including those with hypersensitivity to NSAIDs, those with stomach ulcers or stomach bleeding, those with severe liver disease or heart failure, or those on a low-dose aspirin regimen. In addition, those with asthma, kidney problems, Lupus, Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis, hypertension, arterial disease, angina, or history of stroke should exercise caution with Ibuprofen.
Does Ibuprofen Help Joint Pain Caused by Arthritis in Knee?
Arthritis has over 100 subtypes, including Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, and Gout. While several types of arthritis cause knee pain, not all of them are inflammatory in nature. As such, taking a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory is not advised for all types of arthritis in knees. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is one type of arthritis that is autoimmune. RA might respond to Ibuprofen, but might also be treated better with medicines that control the autoimmune response, since RA impacts more than the knees. RA is a chronic disease, so it’s best to determine a plan of treatment that doesn’t involve lifelong dependence on NSAIDs. Delaying treatment, or using the wrong treatment, could lead to preventable outcomes like knee replacement surgery.
Do OTC Pain Meds Help Osteoarthritis Knee Swelling?
Osteoarthritis (OA) differs from RA in that it’s a degenerative (wear and tear) form of the disease, rather than inflammatory. A swollen knee from OA is triggered by damage to the knee joint, versus an autoimmune response. One of the best things you can do for OA is practice doctor-approved exercise to reduce swelling and fluid build-up. Being inactive allows your joints and knee muscles to stiffen and increases pain and swelling. In addition, since OA is specific to the joint, as opposed to RA’s multi-systemic manifestation, OA is well-treated by targeted injections and lifestyle changes rather than systemic medications.
Are OTC Meds the Best Osteoarthritis Joint Pain Solution?
Since OA develops over time, it’s prone to worsening without intervention. Taking pain medicine might dull the pain, but it won’t prevent the friction between bones, joints, cartilage, and nerves that causes the pain. Doctor-approved OTC meds are okay in a pinch to relieve nagging OA pain. But the better approach is to tackle the pain at the source with targeted lubricant injections, corticosteroid injections, and viscosupplementation. In addition, simple lifestyle changes like supportive shoes, weight loss, proper posture, prescribed exercise, and physical therapy are effective ways to prevent rather than numb OA pain.
Does Advil Help Joint Pain Caused by a Torn Meniscus or ACL?
When you have an acute knee injury like a torn meniscus or torn ACL, your first step is to see a knee specialist. Dulling the pain of even a minor injury might worsen the problem, if it allows you to keep putting weight on your knee. A knee specialist can determine if you need a brace, an injection, or surgery, and can advise you whether to stay off your knee. It’s not recommended to take Advil or any NSAID right before surgery, due to its blood-thinning effect. So, skip the Advil if you suspect a torn meniscus, and head to the doctor instead.
Can I Use Lidocaine on My Foot for Gout Pain?
Gout is a complex form of arthritis that can affect anyone, in any joint. But it’s most common in the big toe. It’s caused by urate crystals accumulating at the joint when you have high uric acid in your blood. Certain medications, like Aspirin, can actually increase uric acid levels. Some topical medicines with Lidocaine also contain Aspirin. So, it’s essential to see a doctor before treating your Gout with OTC medicine. Left untreated, Gout will worsen in pain and joint damage.
Is Leg Joint Pain Treatment Effective at Home?
When you have joint pain that persists for several days despite rest and OTC medicine, it’s time to see a doctor. The knee joint, in particular, requires expert attention. The knee is a hinge joint, composed of bones, cartilage, muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves, and soft tissue, any of which might be causing the pain. If you simply numb the pain with OTC meds, you might be camouflaging a serious or chronic condition. Cancer, dislocation, fracture, and several chronic diseases require prompt medical care. Dulling the pain of common conditions like arthritis won’t address the problem. Relying on OTC pain medicine long term exposes you to serious risks and side effects, not to mention the decrease in effectiveness over time.
So, What is the Best Pain Reliever for Joint and Muscle Pain?
The best pain reliever for joint and muscle pain depends largely on your knee condition, as well as your physical condition. A knee specialist can assess the cause of your pain, along with your medical history and coexisting medical conditions to prescribe the best treatment options. For some patients, cushioned insoles or weight loss might be the solution. For most patients, the best knee pain treatment is a targeted, interventional approach that relieves pain at the source, rather than taking OTC pain medicine beyond the first day or two.
Is There a New Treatment for Joint Pain?
Patients with knee pain no longer need to rely on lifelong OTC pain medicine or narcotic prescriptions. Less invasive, more effective solutions now relieve pain instantly at the source. Corticosteroid injections, viscosupplementation, genicular nerve blocks, cooled radiofrequency ablation, lubricant injections, losing weight, and physical therapy are all safer, more proven ways to relieve knee pain than years of OTC medication. In addition, these new treatments can heal what is causing the pain or provide a buffer against future pain, rather than simply numbing it for a few hours.
How Can I Find a Joint Pain Doctor Near Me?
To find the best “joint pain doctor near me,” start by determining their field of expertise. If you book a knee surgeon, you’re more likely to wind up in unnecessary knee replacement surgery. And if you book a chiropractor or acupuncturist, you risk an improper diagnosis and harmful treatment method. A primary care doctor will send you off to another specialist since they lack the right diagnostic tools. Choose an interventional pain medicine doctor for an accurate assessment and customized knee pain treatment plan. Interventional doctors use state of the art tools to locate the source of your pain and treat it locally, rather than prescribing pain medication or surgery.
Who is the Best Joint Pain Specialist Near Me?
If you want expert knee pain treatment, head to the best joint pain specialist near me– Pain Treatment Specialists. Our team of Harvard-trained interventional pain medicine doctors is world-renowned for innovative pain relief. Our doctors are authors, speakers, and instructors on minimally invasive pain treatments. We offer new treatment for joint pain that’s complete within minutes, ending years of chronic knee pain. Visit our award-winning team today for immediate and lasting relief.
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Meet our Harvard trained team
Dr. George Hanna
Harvard Medical School | NY & NJ Pain Specialist
Dr. Hanna received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He completed anesthesiology residency at Massachusetts General Hospital – Harvard Medical School and a pain management fellowship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital – Harvard Medical School. Dr. Hanna was then appointed Clinical Instructor of Anesthesia at Harvard Medical School – training new graduates for over 3 years in anesthesiology and pain management techniques at Massachusetts General Hospital.
