Roadrider48
Voice of the people
- Location
- Londonistan
Personal experience....that's all.
Ibuprofen gel for knee pain
- Thread starter malcermie
- Start date
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Rohloff_Brompton_Rider
Formerly just_fixed
Fair enough, but that's like saying my teeth don't rot if I use toothpaste.
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
A friend of mine almost died from a perforated ulcer caused by taking a lot of Ibuprofen, so that strikes me as a very valid point, assuming that the gels don't produce similar side-effects.
ScotiaLass
Guru
- Location
- Middle Earth
I've used the gel as I can't take the tablets due to stomach issues.
To be honest, I didn't find it helped much but I do have high levels of pain due to other issues.
For swelling, ice applied for no more than 20 mins at a time is fantastic....for pain, simple Paracetamol is very effective.
Edited to add: Everyone is different and it's always best to consult your GP
vickster
Legendary Member
How about taking advice from your doctor? Have you been diagnosed with arthritis in your knees (through xray or MRI)? My specialist is very sceptical about such things helping. I have not inexpensive injections which seem to help, but I have clearly diagnosed damage. An anti-inflammatory gel can work for mild inflammation. Ice is another way to reduce inflammation in joints and is cheap. You could also try a heated gel pad, nice and soothing
Are your knees swollen or just creaky? Have you seen a sports physio and got a targeted exercise and stretching programme
Or do they only hurt when cycling....if so, the usual reply of, does the bike fit, is the saddle correctly positioning, ditto cleats/pedals
Voltaren gel is the one to use if you do though
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You eat it or smear it on?
Niether he puts it on his knee's.
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
I misaligned a new cleat once and that buggered a knee in about 5 miles of riding, so I would suggest that you double-check your bike and cleat setup.
I was developing really painful knees 2 years ago (aged 56) and I put that down to wear and tear, but I have since lost 3.5 stone in weight and the pain has gone. If you are carrying extra weight, then getting slimmer would definitely help reduce the load on your joints.
I was developing really painful knees 2 years ago (aged 56) and I put that down to wear and tear, but I have since lost 3.5 stone in weight and the pain has gone. If you are carrying extra weight, then getting slimmer would definitely help reduce the load on your joints.
Have you tried picking up a 5 gallon container of water and carrying it around all day, well that is what carrying an extra 4 stone is like, been there and done it. Like Colin my knees feel far better without it.
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ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
I made that point to a skinny mate on a training camp - link!
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Volterol gel is very good. Went through loads before my shoulder got fixed. Taking a topical gel is better long term than tablets, as you are treating a localised area, rather than injesting it. That said I'm on quite a fair amount of ibuprofen tablets at the moment.
Rohloff_Brompton_Rider
Formerly just_fixed
Wrong, see my posts above.
It seems if you use a lot over a large area you are correct. However it does appear to work by absorption into a localized area as well.
Mentholatum ibuprofen gel contains the active ingredient ibuprofen, which is a type of medicine called a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Ibuprofen is a simple painkilling medicine used to relieve mild to moderate pain and inflammation.
Ibuprofen works by blocking the action of a substance in the body called cyclo-oxygenase (COX). Cyclo-oxygenase is involved in the production of various chemicals in the body, some of which are known as prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are produced in response to injury and certain diseases and conditions, and cause pain, swelling and inflammation. Ibuprofen blocks the production of these prostaglandins and is therefore effective at reducing inflammation and pain.
When ibuprofen is applied to the skin (topical application) it is absorbed through the skin into the underlying tissues, where it reduces pain and inflammation in the local area.
Mentholatum ibuprofen gel can be used to relieve the pain of muscular and joint conditions such as sprains, strains, backache and rheumatism. It should be massaged gently into the affected area.
Ibuprofen is absorbed less into the bloodstream from preparations that are applied to the skin than from preparations that are taken by mouth (see end of factsheet), however absorption can still occur, particularly if large amounts are used on large areas.
Read more: http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/seniors-health/medicines/mentholatum-ibuprofen-gel.html#ixzz2rzrKNjGk
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Rohloff_Brompton_Rider
Formerly just_fixed
A well documented placebo effect of applying a soft gel with other additives to local areas, the active ingredient ibuprofen still needs to be systemic. It is worth noting though that in a very recent double blind study of a 100 soldiers found that ibuprofen gel was as effective for soft tissue discomfort as 400 mg doses of tablets - this is a good thing as it means less active ingredient in your system for the same therapeutic effect.
