Osteoarthritis: A proprietary arnica gel is found to be as effective as ibuprofen gel in osteoarthritis of the hands

Abstract

The researchers concluded that for short-term use (up to 3 weeks), the proprietary arnica gel improves pain and function in osteoarthritis of the hand, and that the effects are indistinguishable from that of ibuprophen gel. Based on this well-designed, randomized, double-blind, reference-controlled study, topical arnica gel (A. Vogel Arnica Gel) can be regarded as an alternative to ibuprophen for osteoarthritis of the hand. This is an important finding particularly for those patients who have exhibited an intolerance to the tandard pain treatments of arthritis. © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.