Question: I have painful arthritis in my hands. Right now I try to control the pain with naproxen, but is there something better I can take?
Dr. Hibberd’s answer:
The goals for treatment of hand arthritis are to reduce pain, maintain or improve joint movement, and minimize disability. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) decrease the inflammation and relieve the pain in your thumb and wrists. Although over-the-counter (OTC) medications as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and naproxen (Aleve) help, you could ask your doctor for prescription-strength NSAIDs such as ketoprofen, diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren) and nabumetone (Relafen), if naproxen does not satisfy your arthritis treatment goals. Be aware that NSAIDs have risks of side effects that increase when used at high doses for long-term treatment.