Which pharmacologic management for knee OA is applied topically?

Which pharmacologic management for knee OA is applied topically?

• A. Topical NSAIDs
• B. Oral NSAIDs
• C. Intra-articular injections
• D. Acetaminophen

Answer: (A)

Topical administration aims to deliver pain relief directly to the knee area, providing local effects with less systemic exposure than pills. The best choice is a topical NSAID, because these medications are formulated to be applied to the skin over the joint (for example, diclofenac gel), where they exert their anti-inflammatory and analgesic action in nearby tissues. This local delivery helps reduce knee OA pain while minimizing systemic risks seen with oral NSAIDs. Local skin irritation can occur, but systemic side effects are less common than with oral forms. Other options—oral NSAIDs, intra-articular injections, and acetaminophen—use non-topical routes (systemic or intra-articular) and thus are not topical therapies.

Topical administration aims to deliver pain relief directly to the knee area, providing local effects with less systemic exposure than pills. The best choice is a topical NSAID, because these medications are formulated to be applied to the skin over the joint (for example, diclofenac gel), where they exert their anti-inflammatory and analgesic action in nearby tissues. This local delivery helps reduce knee OA pain while minimizing systemic risks seen with oral NSAIDs. Local skin irritation can occur, but systemic side effects are less common than with oral forms. Other options—oral NSAIDs, intra-articular injections, and acetaminophen—use non-topical routes (systemic or intra-articular) and thus are not topical therapies.