Thanks for your recommendations. I've been taking Hyaluraonic Acid dietary supplement, 100 mg daily. If it's helping it isn't noticeable. Your success with injections gives me hope and I will discuss that with my orthopedist. I had never heard of the HA injections. My knees don't hurt unless I walk on a slope or attempt to get off the ground (not sure how much longer I can even do that). So I'm lucky not to be in constant knee pain, I can walk on level ground without issues. My thumb arthritis is a deep ache, noticeable at night while in bed, my hands feel strained and hurt when I totally straighten them out. Not enough to affect my life much yet, but the rapidity of the deterioration is troubling.
I've read about the Voltarin and have been considering topical OTC Voltarin, for reasons like you noted- most claim it helps relieve pain and it's non-steroidal, but I have read that even the topical can raise blood pressure, which I have had since age 50. So once again I will discuss that with my cardiologist I can make a better decision. I'm not even supposed to take Aleve or Advil, yet I've been super active in my landscaping hobby and have been forced to take Aleve, but I limit it to 1/2 tablet daily. Tylenol is recommended, but for me it provides no benefit.