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Knee pain is one of the Most Common maladies That Brings Patients Into an arthritis specialist's office. While there are many causes, The Most common in people over the age of 35 is osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee.

The treatment for osteoarthritis Involves Employing comprehensive approach to patient education, maintenance of ideal weight, Strengthening exercises for the quadriceps muscles (muscles in the front of the thigh) as well as the hamstring muscles (muscles in the back of the thigh.

Avoidance or reduction of knee pain aggravated Activities That May Also be required. For example, an auto mechanic who spends a lot of time in a crouched position or a carpet layer who kneels May need to modify a lot What They Do. Another example May Be to have a person who enjoys long distance running reduces the amount of training or cross train using They Do Such other Activities as cycling or using an elliptical trainer.

While medications can help anti-inflammatory, many people are sensitive to Either These drugs or simply do not want to take them. So what else can be done?

Many People Are not Aware That something as simple as an ice pack applied to the knee for 10-15 minutes twice a day can reduce pain and inflammation Dramatically two to OA. This Should Be done routinely, not just Occasionally.

Also there are topical agents That can not be used. For example, rubs, ointments, creams and That Contain capsaicin can relieve discomfort Often. Capsaicin works by irritating nerve endings and Possibly by Altering the production and effects of Substance P, a chemical messenger Responsible for the perception of pain.

In preparation Called Myorx, which effectively contains omega-3 fatty acids along with menthol and capsaicin May Also be effective in every Providing soothing relief. We use this preparation for our Patients and get rave reviews.

The FDA recently approved Novartis's Voltaren (diclofenac) 1% gel as a topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) prescription treatment for pain Associated with osteoarthritis. It is the first prescription NSAIDs can be applied directly to That the site of OA pain. It is the first topical treatment for OA That has Demonstrated effectiveness in the hands and knees in clinical trials.

The gel was Studied Among More Than 900 Patients with OA of the hand or knee. FDA approval was supported by the results of 2 randomized controlled studies. In one six-week trial, the gels led to a 46% reduction in pain levels in Patients with hand OA. In 12-week study, the gel OA-related knee pain Reduced by 51%. Systemic absorption of Voltaren Gel is 94% Lower Than That of oral diclofenac.

That can be another treatment used with some effectiveness are patches. One example is the heat wrap designed to help Thermocare manage arthritis flare-ups with 12 hours of heat. Heat discs in the mixture to Contain Thermocare of iron, charcoal, salt, and water, which effectively When Exposed to air, consistent Gives off heat for 12 hours. Increases local blood circulation the heat delivering oxygen and nutrients to the knee and Promotes Healing. These wraps Have Been Compared with ibuprofen and acetaminophen in clinical trials. Thermocare provided 38% more pain relief than acetaminophen Significantly improved and ranged of motion (68%) Compared to ibuprofen.

Some Patients Also report the use of patches That containing lidocaine (Lidoderm) are effective in controlling OA pain. These patches can be worn for 12 hours Followed by 12-hour break. While Lidoderm for OA of the Knee Associated pain is not an FDA-approved Indication, it Appears to be effective for many Patients. Since there is the chance of systemic absorption, in Patients with cardiac history Should use this only under direct medical supervision.

Various braces can be used to good effect and That Has Been Discussed topic in another article by me.

Nathan Wei, MD FACP FACR is a rheumatologist and Director of the Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of Maryland. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. For more info: Arthritis Treatment .

Article Source: What You Can Do To Make Your Knee Pain Disappear Without Taking Drugs Or Injections