International osteoarthritis diagnosis and treatment guidelines
| Guidelines | Recommended usage |
| AAOS | Patients with knee OA and high risk of gastrointestinal tract: topical NSAIDs and non-selective oral NSAIDs combined with gastrointestinal protection agents. |
| AGS | Patients with local non-neuronal persistent pain: topical NSAIDs. |
| EULAR | Patients with hand osteoarthritis: topical medication is better than systemic treatment. Patients with knee osteoarthritis: topical NSAIDs are effective and safe. |
| NICE | Patients with knee or hand OA: to add topical NSAIDs based on core therapy to relieve pain. Topical NSAIDs should be used prior to oral NSAIDs, cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors or opioids. |
| OARSI | Patients with knee OA: topical NSAIDs are effective adjuvant therapy and alternative treatment for oral analgesic/anti-inflammatory treatment. |
AAOS, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; AGS, American Geriatrics Society; EULAR, The European League Against Rheumatism; NICE, The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence; NSAID, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug; OA, osteoarthritis; OARSI, Osteoarthritis Research Society International.