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3. Topical Medications
There are a few types of creams, gels and ointments that can relieve pain, but topical NSAIDs are the best choices for arthritis-related pain and inflammation. They come in the form of patches, sprays, or gels, and work by delivering the medication right into the joint fluid to fight off inflammatory proteins.
Not only do these sorts of NSAIDs have a direct effect on your pain and swelling, they may also be safer than the anti-inflammatories you take in pill form: experts suspect that the topical medications bring fewer cardiovascular risks and gastrointestinal side effects, since they don’t circulate widely throughout the body.
If you've tried other treatment options for arthritis that haven't worked, then clinical trials for arthritis may be an option for you. Learn more here.