Topical Diclofenac, an Efficacious Treatment for Osteoarthritis: A Narrative Review
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Multiple head-to-head trials have demonstrated that topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including topical diclofenac, provide at least equivalent analgesia, improvement in physical function, and reduction of stiffness compared ...

“inflammation is now understood to be a key mediator of OA that contributes to cartilage loss and progressive degeneration of affected joints… OA is no longer considered a noninflammatory arthritis or a ‘wear and tear’ disease”

I heretofore thought age-related cartilage loss was the cause of osteoarthritis and inflammation. Turns out it’s the other way around: the inflammation degrades cartilage. Okay, no more slogging through joint pains for me, regardless of how small.

Edit: added a phrase for clarity

  • JayleneSlide@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
    3·
    2 hours ago

    Bruddah/sistah/non-binaryah, I know your pain intimately. I got my first shot in the knee 3 months ago. “And to think… I hesitated.” Sending warm recovery thoughts your way. What kind of physical therapy regimen does the sawbones have you on?

    • Onomatopoeia@lemmy.cafeEnglish
      2·
      2 hours ago

      Read up on cortisone - related cartilage/tendon concerns.

      Your doc probably overstates the risk a great deal. Check NLM for studies, it looks like there’s a risk, but all the studies are of patients with injury and on-going degeneration. By the time you get to injections you’ve exhausted other treatments.