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Diclofenac topical gel (brand Voltaren) helps postpone TKR
15 years ago I was told by a surgeon that there was a knee replacement in my future. For all the usual reasons (e.g. getting old enough so that one replacement will see-me-out, letting technology improve, delay rare chance of bad out come) I have been delaying that ever since. But my osteoarthritis and associate pain has been getting worse.
I have been using generic Diclofenac 1% gel for knee pain as needed for activities like downhill skiing for over 2 years. I have just started needing it more often for lesser activities, but it really does work. Although you can get it OTC, mine cost me nothing because my doctor gave me a prescription.
Hyaluronic acid injections only are working for about 2 months, although those are amazing 2 months. I just read up more on Diclofenac gel, and got a handout on it from my surgeon's office. This stuff is supposed to work even better if used more continuously, instead of just once in the morning on ski or hiking days. I was thinking 2027 is when I would need to pull the trigger on the TKR, but now I think that I can go longer.
I though that others might want to hear more about this, and maybe someone else can share their experiences with this pre-TKR therapy?
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Interesting. Will try that tonight for post surgical knee pain. Will try it on my wrist also. Had break in my wrist and out of the cast this past week. Feeling pain😱
@kfhoz & @harrie123 Yes, this little gem has been in our med kit for many years. Our rheumatologist just mentioned it again last week as a safer alternative. On bad days, when my RA drugs are not enough, I massage it into my hands before bed. We have the 2.3% prescription strength.
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2 ReactionsI used to take the Diclofenac prescription pills for my knee/back problems but it almost done me in for good I woke up one morning and couldn't hardly move my right arm or the right side of my body. It had eaten a big hole in the side of my stomach and I almost bleed to death and spent a week in the hospital over it.
I started using the 2.3% prescription strength Diclofenac cream rub after that but it didn't seem to help me all that much not like the pills did but maybe I'll try it again I'll have to talk to my pain Dr. again and see if she will put me back on it.
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2 ReactionsHow effective is Voltaren on the lower back. It seems it would be difficult to apply frequently and make a mess out of your clothes. Can/should you put some kind of covering over it?
@jackiet Read online, but my understanding is that the diclofenac gel only penetrates a limited depth. So it is not considered useful for hip arthritis pain for example. I do not know about back pain, but here is an example article discussing how deep it has an effect.
Skin penetration and tissue permeation after topical administration of diclofenac
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03007995.2017.1352497
EXCERPT: "... diclofenac has been shown to penetrate to a depth of around 3–4 mm ..."
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1 ReactionI’ve been using this for several years. It is a game changer.
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1 Reaction@kfhoz Thank you for the info. Much appreciated.
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