Various injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system cause severe pain in the joints, ligaments and muscles. Often they are accompanied by inflammation and swelling of the tissues. In order to cope with this condition, painkillers and anti-inflammatory ointments are used. They quickly help relieve pain and swelling. But there are a lot of similar drugs, and they all have a different composition and mode of action. Therefore, before use, it is necessary to consult a doctor.
Features of the action of such drugs
Painkillers and anti-inflammatory ointments are used for various injuries, pains in muscles and joints due to hypothermia or overstrain, with osteochondrosis, radiculitis and arthrosis. They are very effective in the complex treatment of many diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Their popularity can be explained by the fact that when applied to the skin, they have this effect:
- relieve pain;
- improve tissue nutrition;
- accelerate blood circulation;
- reduce swelling and inflammation;
- eliminate muscle spasms.
Groups of painkillers ointments
Such drugs are prescribed depending on the characteristics and cause of the pain. It is necessary to consult a doctor so that he helps to choose the right medicine. All painkillers and anti-inflammatory ointments, depending on the characteristics of the action, are divided into several groups:
- drugs with a cooling effect relieve pain, swelling and redness;
- drugs containing analgesics or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory substances are prescribed for pain in muscles or joints, with radiculitis and osteochondrosis;
- ointments with a warming and irritating skin effect are used to resolve stagnant phenomena in the tissues;
- for joint diseases, preparations containing chondroprotectors help.
Ointments with a cooling effect
Such drugs are used immediately after injury to quickly relieve pain and prevent the appearance of edema and hematoma. Usually they contain menthol, plant essential oils, camphor and other substances. Most often, such drugs are available in the form of a gel, so the active components quickly penetrate deep into the tissues. You can not rub them into the skin, as this can cause swelling. They are prescribed for pain in the spine and sutures associated with overstrain, after sprain of muscles and ligaments. Most often, such ointments with a cooling effect are used: “Quick gel”, “Ben gay”, “Reparil” and others.
Warming Ointments
Such products contain components that are irritating to the skin, accelerating blood circulation and metabolic processes in tissues. Therefore, they have an analgesic effect, relieve muscle spasms and warm. Due to the pronounced stimulating effect on the nervous system, such drugs are not used at night. You can use them to warm up the muscles before training or with osteochondrosis, myalgia, radiculitis.
Anesthetics and warming ointments are undesirable to use immediately after an injury, as they can provoke an increase in inflammation or bleeding. The basis of such drugs can be different components:
- medicinal plants and essential oils, such as Myoton ointment;
- bee venom contains Apizartron;
- snake venom contained in the Viprosal ointment also has a warming effect;
- Capsaicin-based hot pepper extracts, such as Nikoflex, are also effective.
Chondroprotective ointments
These drugs also have an analgesic effect. But this happens due to the restoration of cartilage tissue and the removal of inflammation. They contain chondroitin and glucosamine, which are the basis of cartilage. Most often prescribed by doctors "Chondroitin" (ointment) for dystrophic processes in the intervertebral discs. Such drugs restore the volume of intraarticular fluid and slow down the degenerative processes in arthrosis and osteochondrosis. You need to know that such drugs do not have a quick analgesic effect, you need to use them for long courses.
The most famous drugs of this group are Arthrocin, Honda, Chondroxide and Chondroart Ointment. When choosing a medicine, you need to look so that it contains dimexide, which helps the active components to penetrate into the deep layers of tissues. It is because of it that Chondroitin, an ointment with a chondroprotective effect, is so effective.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Such funds can not be used for a long time without a doctor's prescription. They contain components that can accumulate in the tissues and have systemic side effects. These painkillers and anti-inflammatory ointments are among the most popular drugs for the treatment of many diseases of the musculoskeletal system and internal organs:
- muscle inflammation due to hypothermia or increased physical activity;
- renal colic;
- pain after an injury or surgery;
- sciatica, lumbago or sciatica;
- osteochondrosis;
- arthritis.
They include various analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory substances. Such ointments relieve pain by suppressing the activity of inflammatory mediators. They relieve swelling and pain symptoms. All non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be divided into groups depending on the main active substance.
- Ketoprofen ointments relieve pain and help remove tissue swelling. This substance inhibits the release of enzymes that provoke the inflammatory process. Ketoprofen quickly penetrates the subcutaneous tissue, especially if the drug is made in the form of a gel. The most popular drugs based on it are Ketonal, Fastum Gel.
- Ointments containing ibuprofen - a substance considered the safest and most effective for relieving pain and inflammation. They are used for arthritis, gout, pinching of nerves, radiculitis, rheumatism and muscle pain. Most often, such ointments based on ibuprofen are used: Nurofen, Dolgit, Ibuprofen, Deep Relief, and others.
- Effectively relieves pain and inflammation of diclofenac. This substance not only inhibits the synthesis of inflammatory mediators, but also improves blood circulation, and also participates in tissue regeneration. The most popular remedy for this group is Voltaren Emulgel. Its price is quite high and can reach 500-600 rubles, depending on the packaging and manufacturer. But this does not stop patients, because the drug is very effective. In addition to it, Ortofen, Diklak and Diklovit (ointment) are often used.
- Another anti-inflammatory substance can be part of ointments - nimesulide. It quickly relieves pain in muscles and joints caused by various reasons. It contains the drug "Nise", which can be used for a long time without the risk of side effects.
- The most inexpensive means are ointments based on indomethacin. This substance has long been used to treat arthritis, gout and osteochondrosis. Ointment "Indomethacin" can be bought for 40-50 rubles.
Combined ointments
Such preparations contain several components and have a complex effect. They not only relieve pain and inflammation, but also accelerate cell regeneration, have a resolving and thrombolytic effect. They penetrate deep into the tissues and quickly relieve swelling after injury. Due to the improvement of blood circulation, a hematoma passes. In addition, combined ointments restore damaged cartilage, so joint mobility improves. The most famous remedy of this group is Dolobene.
The drug contains sodium heparin, which improves blood circulation and resolves blood clots, an anti-inflammatory agent dimethyl sulfoxide and plant essential oils.
"Fastum gel": instructions for use
The price of this popular drug is not very high - from 215 rubles. But it is very effective, so many people with osteochondrosis, radiculitis or muscle pain choose it. The basis of the drug is the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory substance ketoprofen. In addition to relieving pain and swelling, it improves blood circulation and prevents blood clots. An ointment is used for radiculitis, osteochondrosis, arthritis, after injuries. It effectively eliminates morning stiffness in the joints.
Ointment "Voltaren"
This is another popular drug that is used to relieve pain and reduce the inflammatory process. Not only after bruises and sprains, but also with osteochondrosis, radiculitis, and arthritis, Voltaren Emulgel is prescribed. Its average price is 350 rubles, but they often buy a drug because of its effectiveness. It quickly relieves pain and restores mobility.
Rules for using such ointments
Any medication can be used to temporarily relieve pain. But with prolonged treatment, it is necessary to consult a doctor. After all, even external agents may have contraindications and sometimes cause allergic reactions. Therefore, you need to know how to properly use such ointments.
- These funds are applied in a thin layer to the affected area. In some cases, it is recommended to rub the ointment with massage movements and apply a warming dressing. This is done 2-3 times a day.
- Such ointments can not be used for various damage to the skin, dermatitis and eczema.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should not be used for longer than 2-3 weeks.
- Warming ointments are not used immediately after an injury.
- Preparations based on snake and bee venom can provoke severe irritation and an allergic reaction.