Osteoarthritis Pain Management: Medications, Treatments, and Emerging Therapies ###

Paracetamol::

Recommended as the first-line pain relief tablet for osteoarthritis.
Best taken before pain becomes severe.
Widely available over the counter.

NSAIDs::

Available in cream, gel, or patch form for localized pain relief.
Common NSAIDs include ibuprofen and diclofenac.
Stronger NSAIDs like naproxen and celecoxib may be prescribed by doctors.

Opioid Analgesics::

Used for severe pain not controlled by weaker analgesics.
Examples include tramadol and oxycodone.
Higher doses increase the risk of fractures, especially in elderly patients.

Steroid Injections::

Used for severe pain in joints like the knee or thumb.
Provide relief for several weeks or months.

Hyaluronic Acid Injections::

Used to treat knee osteoarthritis by lubricating the joint.
Not currently available on the NHS due to mixed research evidence on long-term effectiveness.

TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)::

Sends electrical pulses to nerve endings to relieve pain.
Effectiveness varies among individuals.

Skeletal Muscle Relaxants::

Used to relieve muscle spasms and cramping associated with osteoarthritis.
Examples include carisoprodol and dantrolene.

Combination Therapy::

Combining different types of medications (e.g., paracetamol and NSAIDs) can provide better pain relief with fewer side effects.
Fixed-dose combination products are recommended for long-term pain management.

Emerging Therapies::

New analgesic drugs like CR4056 are being studied for their efficacy in reducing pain in osteoarthritis patients.