Alternative to Pills for Arthritis Pain

BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. — Notice pain in your knees?  Maybe it’s an ankle.  Osteoarthritis is very common. You may think that pills are your only source of pain relief.

But there is an alternative — creams or gels that you rub on the joint.

A recent review of studies by the Cochrane Collaboration found that a prescription anti-inflammatory cream worked just as well as anti-inflammatory pills in relieving mild to moderate arthritis of the knees or hands.

FOX 4 Medical Reporter Meryl Lin McKean talked with Becky Culbertson, a pharmacist at St. Mary’s Medical Center, about prescription and over-the-counter gels and creams.