How to treat inflammation of the joints at home
Step-by-step instructions for the treatment of inflammation of the joints at home. Together with experts, we will analyze which drugs are best taken for joint inflammation and how to use them.

Inflammation of the joints, or arthritis, is a pathological condition that is accompanied by pain, swelling, redness of the skin at the site of the lesion, and fever. The inflammatory process most often affects the joints of the upper and lower extremities. Without treatment, arthritis becomes chronic and can cause serious complications, including loss of joint mobility. In this article, together with our experts, we will understand the causes of the disease and find out how to treat inflammation of the joints at home.

10 best drugs for joint inflammation

The question “how to treat inflammation of the joints” is relevant for everyone who has at least once encountered the symptoms of arthritis. The first priority is to relieve pain and discomfort that interfere with work and daily activities. We have selected 10 drugs for joint inflammation that have proven themselves among doctors and patients and can be used at home.

Products for external use

Ointments, creams and gels are used as a means of emergency care. Preparations for external use are rubbed into the skin over the sore spot. As a result, the active substances enter directly into the focus of inflammation and do not irritate the gastrointestinal tract. The active ingredients in the composition of the preparations reduce pain and swelling, improve blood supply to tissues and speed up recovery.

1. Voltaren Emulgel

Water-alcohol based gel, easy to apply and quickly absorbed into the skin. The active substance of diclofenac, diethylamine, has an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. The gel is prescribed for arthritis, bursitis, tendovaginitis and other diseases that are accompanied by inflammation and swelling of soft tissues and joints1.

Precautions: the drug is not suitable for children under 12 years of age, pregnant and lactating women, patients with bronchial asthma, severe pathologies of the kidneys and liver. Do not apply the gel to injured skin.

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2. Friend gel

Transparent gel with a characteristic odor. The active ingredient nimesulide reduces pain and inflammation and prevents the destruction of cartilage in the joints. The gel is used for the symptomatic treatment of arthritis of various etiologies.

Precautions: the gel should not be used in bronchial asthma, renal and hepatic insufficiency, erosive and ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract. The drug is not prescribed for children under 12 years of age, pregnant and lactating women.

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3. Fastum gel

Transparent non-greasy gel with a pleasant smell. Contains ketoprofen – a substance with analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-exudative action1. “Fastum Gel” reduces pain in the joints, eliminates swelling and stiffness, helps with rheumatoid arthritis, periarthritis and gout.

Precautions: not recommended for patients with leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, diseases of the liver, kidneys and gastrointestinal tract in the acute phase, women during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

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4. Capsicum ointment

Pain-relieving ointment with a warming effect. Contains five active ingredients, including the pain impulse blocker nonivamide. “Kapsicam” improves blood circulation in the damaged area, reduces inflammation and swelling of the joints and soft tissues.

Precautions: ointment is not applied to damaged skin. The drug is contraindicated in children under 12 years of age, people with individual intolerance to the components, women during pregnancy and lactation.

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5. Finalgon ointment

A local irritant that causes redness of the skin and a feeling of warmth in the area of ​​application. Contains analgesic components – nonivamide and nicoboxyl. It begins to act in a few minutes, the maximum effect is observed after half an hour to an hour after application.

Precautions: the ointment should not get on the mucous membranes, inflamed and damaged skin. Contraindications to the use of “Finalgon”: childhood, pregnancy, lactation, hypersensitivity to nonivamide and nicoboxil.

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Means for oral administration

In the symptomatic treatment of arthritis, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used, which reduce the temperature and reduce pain. Along with high efficiency, these drugs have a number of side effects. Therefore, before taking medications, you should definitely consult a doctor.

6. Meloxicam

Meloxicam inhibits the synthesis of prostaglandins, substances that cause inflammation and pain.1. The drug has antipyretic properties, relieves discomfort and stiffness in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile1. Rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and characterized by high bioavailability – 89%1. Available in tablets of 7,5 and 15 mg.

Precautions: meloxicam is contraindicated in patients with erosive and ulcerative pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, renal, hepatic and heart failure. Other contraindications are allergic reactions while taking NSAIDs, childhood, pregnancy, lactation.

7. Ibuprofen

Available in tablets and capsules. It has a pronounced anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effect, reduces swelling and morning stiffness of the joints. The therapeutic effect after a single dose lasts up to 8 hours. Ibuprofen is prescribed for patients with arthritis, periarthritis, articular syndrome with gout and rheumatism1.

Precautions: the drug is contraindicated in people with erosive and ulcerative diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and bleeding disorders, renal and heart failure, “aspirin” bronchial asthma.

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8. Nimesulide

Has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet effect, lowers temperature1. It can relieve pain in 20-30 minutes, therefore it belongs to the ambulance, but does not stop the progress of the disease and is not suitable for long-term use. It is used for the symptomatic treatment of arthritis of various etiologies. Release form – tablets 100 mg. Released by prescription.

Precautions: nimesulide is not prescribed for diseases and conditions such as erosive and ulcerative lesions of the stomach and duodenum, blood clotting disorders, inflammatory processes in the intestines, kidney, liver and heart failure.

9. Diclofenac

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug is available in tablets with a dosage of 50 mg. Diclofenac suppresses the inflammatory process, relieves pain at rest and during movement, reduces tissue swelling and improves joint mobility. It is released from pharmacies by prescription.

Precautionary measures. Like all NSAIDs, the drug is contraindicated in children, women during pregnancy and lactation, people with ulcerative and erosive pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, severe diseases of the heart, liver and kidneys.

10. Naproxen

The drug has an antipyretic effect, helps to suppress inflammation and stop pain. This tool helps to reduce swelling and morning stiffness in arthritis of various origins. Prescription drug.

Precautions: not suitable for children, patients with erosive lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, renal and hepatic insufficiency, pregnant and lactating women.

Reviews of doctors about drugs for inflammation of the joints

The answer to the question “how to treat inflammation of the joints” depends on the etiology and symptoms of the disease. In arthritis of infectious origin, antibiotic therapy is prescribed. In the inflammatory process of an allergic nature, antihistamines are selected. Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis includes the use of immunosuppressants, which include cytostatics and glucocorticosteroid hormones. For gout, NSAIDs, glucocorticoids, colchicine, interleukin blockers are usually prescribed.2.

Any medication should be selected by a general practitioner, rheumatologist or neurologist. If the patient’s condition does not require hospitalization, the specialist will advise how to treat inflammation of the joints at home. Among the list of drugs, most likely there will be drugs from our rating.

Popular questions and answers

Our experts talk about the causes and consequences of joint inflammation: neurologist Petr Sokov and doctor of the highest category, neurologist, MD Yong Joon Choi. The recommendations of specialists will be useful to everyone who has experienced manifestations of arthritis in themselves and loved ones.

What causes joint inflammation?
Primary arthritis is provoked by trauma, bacterial, viral and fungal infections. Often the cause of inflammation is an allergic reaction to an infection. This is the so-called reactive arthritis, which begins 3-7 days after an infectious disease.2.

Secondary arthritis develops against the background of a particular disease. Most often it is gout, systemic lupus erythematosus, tuberculosis and other pathologies of the lungs. In a separate group, rheumatoid arthritis is distinguished, which belongs to autoimmune diseases.3. In this pathology, the immune system attacks a person’s own tissues and causes a chronic inflammatory process.2.

What are the possible complications of inflammation of the joints?
The launched inflammatory process negatively affects the state of many internal organs and systems. The most common complications of arthritis include:

● inflammation of the episclera, which is fraught with deterioration and even loss of vision;

● pleurisy and the formation of rheumatoid nodules in the lungs;

● inflammation of the blood vessels, strokes and heart attacks.

The inflamed joint can deform and lose mobility partially or completely, which significantly limits the ability to work and reduces the quality of life. For example, 30% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis become disabled within 10 years of diagnosis.3.

How to quickly relieve inflammation of the joints?
At home, traditional medicine is often used. Cold compresses that are applied to the affected area for 15-20 minutes help to reduce pain. You can make compresses with aloe juice or cabbage in combination with honey. Propolis, a waste product of bees, has a good analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. Applications of propolis softened in a water bath are applied to the inflamed joint for 2-3 hours.
  1. Vidal. Formulary of medicines, edition 2021.
  2. Clinician. #1 for 2007. “Rheumatoid arthritis – modern approaches to treatment”. N. A. Shostak. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/revmatoidnyy-artrit-sovremennye-podhody-k-lecheniyu/viewer
  3. Belgov A. Yu. Reactive arthritis: diagnosis and treatment // Medical business. 2009. No. 2. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/reaktivnye-artrity-diagnostika-i-lechenie
  4. Journal of the Attending Physician. “Modern drug therapy for rheumatoid arthritis”. D. E. Karateev. https://www.lvrach.ru/2007/02/4534789

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