Should I use an anti-inflammatory gel or tablets for knee pain?

Gels and creams

Topical anti-inflammatories work well on joints close to the skin, and the knee is one of them. They are often recommended as a first option for knee osteoarthritis, particularly in older adults. To use one:

• 1. Wash and dry your hands and the skin over the knee
• 2. Apply the amount stated on the leaflet, usually a small strip, and rub it in gently around the whole knee
• 3. Use it up to the number of times a day the leaflet allows, commonly three or four
• 4. Wash your hands afterwards and keep it away from your eyes
• 5. Do not cover the area tightly, use a heat pad on top, or apply it to broken skin

Tablets

Anti-inflammatory tablets can be more effective for a flare, but they carry more risks, including stomach irritation and bleeding, kidney strain, raised blood pressure and heart risks. These risks are higher in older people, and in those with stomach ulcers, kidney disease, heart disease, high blood pressure or asthma, or who take blood thinners. Paracetamol is a gentler option for some people, though its benefit for arthritis is modest.

This page gives general information only. Your doctor or pharmacist should confirm which option suits you, the dose and for how long, taking your other medicines into account.

Practical points in Qatar

During Ramadan, tablets need to be timed around iftar and suhoor and taken with food; discuss timing with your doctor. In summer, avoid applying gel and then sitting in direct sun. Many people with diabetes or high blood pressure in Qatar should be particularly careful with tablets, so mention these conditions when you ask for advice.

Medicines are part of the plan, not the whole plan

Pain relief is most useful when it lets you keep moving and doing your exercises. If you need anti-inflammatories most days for more than a couple of weeks, or the knee is swollen, hot, locking or giving way, book an assessment with a knee specialist in Doha rather than continuing on your own.