Best creams for arthritic knees

• Best Medicine-free: FlexiSEQ Gel
• Best Anti-inflammatory: Voltaren Gel
• Best Cooling Gel: Deep Freeze Cold Gel
• Best Spray: Biofreeze Spray
• Best Menthol Cream: Tiger Balm Arthritis Rub
• Best No-Mess Application: Salonpas Pain Relief Patch

FlexiSEQ

FlexiSEQ is a drug free gel that is great to use on arthritic knees. It's especially effective at treating pain in the knee caused by osteoarthritis.

FlexiSEQ contains tiny lipid spheres called Sequessome vesicles (SEQ Tech). These spheres are able to alter their shape, so they can easily pass through the skin to enter the affected areas. These lipid spheres lubricate the surface of the cartilage, reducing pain and stiffness.

Pros:

• Can help ease the pain and stiffness in your joints
• Suitable for all osteoarthritis patients
• Drug-free gel that avoids the heart and stomach risks common to most osteoarthritis drug treatments
• Can be used safely with medicines for osteoarthritis and/or other medical conditions

Cons:

• People with skin lesions or any dermatological conditions in the treatment area should not use FlexiSEQ
• It should not be used when another topical treatment, such as an NSAID gel, has already been prescribed

Best Anti-inflammatory: Voltaren

Voltaren is ideal for easing knee pain caused by arthritis. The main active ingredient is diclofenac which is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

It uses Emulgel technology to get deep into the skin, so the main ingredient, diclofenac, can help ease pain and inflammation. It provides a cooling effect to the applied area.

Pros:

• Can help ease the pain and stiffness in your joints
• Provides 12 hours of pain relief
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug

Cons:

• Can't be used by those under 18 years of age
• Can't be used alongside oral diclofenac or other NSAID tablets
• Not suitable for those who suffer from asthma attacks, wheezing, urticaria (hives) as a result of aspirin or other NSAID/anti-inflammatory medicine
• Should not be taken for more than 7 consecutive days

Best Cooling Gel: Deep Freeze Cold Gel

Deep Freeze Cold Gel has an amazing cooling effect that is just like applying ice, rapidly cooling the area. It uses cooling therapy to the applied area to help relieve pain caused by arthritic knees.

Pros:

• Fast acting relief
• Cold therapy helps to decrease blood flow to applied area to reduce pain
• Can be used with other medicines

Cons:

• Potentially not suitable if pregnant (be sure to check with your doctor)

Best Spray: Biofreeze Spray

Biofreeze provides long-lasting and fast-acting cold therapy pain relief. It contains menthol, which creates cooling sensations and is ideal for providing temporary pain relief. Being a spray, it is able to quickly relieve pain as it can penetrate the skin to reach your joints.

Pros:

• Long-lasting pain relief
• Cold therapy helps to decrease blood flow to applied area to reduce pain
• Made with USP grade ingredients and free of NSAIDs

Cons:

• Spray version can get messy
• Potentially not suitable if pregnant (check with doctor)

Best Menthol Cream: Tiger Balm Arthritis Rub

Tiger Balm Arthritis Rub is a safe and fast relief from arthritic knee pain. It uses all natural herbal ingredients just like Tiger Balm White Ointment, which works on muscle pain and tension headaches. Containing menthol, it can help reduce redness and swelling and provide cooling sensations to your joints.

It has an easy-to-use pump, which is handy if you have arthritis in your hands which can make it difficult to press things down. The lotion is anti-inflammatory and doesn't dry out the skin as it's alcohol-free.

Pros:

• Made with natural ingredients
• Easy-to-use pump

Cons:

• Some people find it more effective at treating muscle pain than joint pain
• Has a strong smell

Best No-Mess Application: Salonpas Pain Relief Patch

Patches take all the mess out of arthritis treatment. Creams, gels and sprays can be sticky and can stain clothes, but with patches, you don't need to worry about any of this.

Salonpas Pain Relief Patches contain camphor, menthol, and methyl salicylate, which are great for treating arthritic knee pain.

They come in standard and large sizes, so you can purchase the most appropriate size for the area you are treating. You can also trim the patches into strips so they fit better if it's a smaller area you're treating. The adhesives are strong and can keep them attached to skin for hours.

Pros:

• Patch makes it mess and stain free
• Come in different sizes and can be cut to fit to area

Cons:

• Patches can be difficult to stay on skin
• Has a strong smell

Finding the best cream for your arthritic knees can be overwhelming with so many products available. We've narrowed down the list of what we believe are the best available products based on type.

Although these creams can provide temporary relief from arthritic pain, they may not address the underlying cause of the condition. You should consult your local pharmacist or doctor before starting a treatment, including topical creams for arthritis. They will be able to suggest the most appropriate treatment plan for your arthritis.

If you need more information about arthritic knee products, contact our friendly team who will be happy to recommend some products for you.