Icy Hot is a popular over-the-counter medication that is used to relieve joint pain. It is commonly available in the form of a cream, gel, or patch. But if you are having knee issues you may wonder, “is icy hot good for knee pain?”
In this blog post, we will explore whether or not Icy Hot is good for knee pain.
What is Icy Hot?
Icy Hot is a medication that is used to temporarily relieve pain and is available in a variety of forms, including cream, gel, or patch. More recently, the company has also released a spray and “no mess” applicator.
Icy Hot the company and product, regardless of which method of delivery, boasts being the United States’ number one topical pain relief brand for a reason. The company has maintained this high standard for over 50 years!
All of their product begins by providing a cold sensation, followed closely by a relaxing warmth. Icy Hot utilizes the power of contrast therapy to provide both cold and heat to give its users fast-acting pain relief.
The product’s active ingredients provide powerful lasting pain relief. The extended relief formula includes lidocaine without a prescription along with menthol, methyl salicylate, and camphor to help relieve pain.
Before diving into whether or not icy hot is good for knee pain, first, let’s dive deeper into the anatomy of the knee joint, and knee pain.
The Knee Joint
The Knee is a very complex structure that is made up of many ligaments, bones, and tendons that help control movement, stability, and overall mechanics of the knee. The knee joint is comprised of four main ligaments including the medial collateral ligament (MCL), the lateral collateral ligament (LCL), the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). All of these help with supporting the knee, while also protecting it from excessive rotation.
The knee also includes a number of bones, which include the femur, tibia, and patella.
The femur is the largest bone of the body and is responsible for connecting the knee joint with your hip.
The tibia is what is commonly referred to as the shin bone, and is very important because it supports most of your weight.
Lastly, there is the patella (knee cap). It is a little bone that sits in front of your thigh bone (femur) and is used to help protect the knee joint and assist the patellar tendon in extending the knee.
The other soft tissue that is associated with the knee joint is the cartilage within the joint. Cartilage is a highly specialized and important tissue that is essential for normal joint function. Cartilage is extremely smooth, which allows movement to happen smoothly within the knee joint. Without cartilage, our mobility would be severely limited, as well as it would lead to extreme pain and discomfort.
One of the cartilages in the knee is called the meniscus. The menisci are crescent-shaped cartilage that is located between the femur and the tibia. There is one on each side of the knee, so there is a medial meniscus, which is connected to the medial collateral ligament (MCL), and a lateral meniscus, which is connected to the lateral collateral ligament (LCL).
The meniscus is responsible for providing cushioning and shock absorption to the knee. Whereas, the hyaline cartilage is what is responsible for smoothing out movement within the joint.
With all of this information in mind, is it safe to say that icy hot is good for knee pain?
Is Icy Hot Good for Knee Pain?
Well, the answer is that it depends on what is causing your knee pain. Icy Hot is an excellent and effective way to temporarily relieve pain, especially if you have a minor ache or soreness in your knees. However, if your knee pain is caused by an injury or tear of any of the ligaments, cartilage, or is indicative of a more serious condition like arthritis, Icy Hot is not the recommended treatment.
This is not to say that it will likely have an adverse effect on your joints (unless you are allergic to any ingredient of the products). However, if your knee pain is persistent or is worsening, it is important to consult a medical professional for diagnosis and treatment recommendations.
Overall, Icy Hot is an effective option for temporary relief of pain in the knees, especially pain or discomfort that is associated with the musculature of the joint. Contrast therapy is a great way to help reduce inflammation and is often a recommended treatment for mild knee pain due to pulled muscles or overuse.
So, what are the types of knee injuries that would be applicable to using an Icy Hot product?
Common Overuse Knee Injuries
Below are some of the most common overuse injuries that would be great instances to use an Icy Hot product:
-Runner’s knee (patellofemoral pain syndrome): This is a rapidly growing condition that is caused by excessive strain on the knee joint, often from high-impact sports such as running, jumping, and weightlifting.
Symptoms of runner’s knee include pain in front of or around the kneecap that is worsened with activity, swelling, and stiffness in the knee joint, as well as grinding sensations when bending or straightening the knee.
-Bursitis: This is a painful condition that occurs when there is inflammation or infection of the fluid-filled sacs (called bursae) that surround your knee joint.
Symptoms include pain and stiffness in the knee, swelling, and redness over the front or side of the knee, as well as creaking sensations when bending or straightening the knee.
-Osgood-Schlatter’s Disease: This is a benign condition that is often seen in active adolescents and is caused by inflammation of the patellar tendon or its attachment at the tibial tuberosity, generally from overuse.
Symptoms include pain just below the knee joint (usually on top of the tibia), swelling and tenderness in the knee, and painful popping or snapping sensation when bending or straightening the knee.
-Arthritis: While arthritis is typically associated with the elderly, this is not always the case. There are many different types of arthritis, and knee pain is a common symptom.
Arthritis pain is a chronic condition that is caused by inflammation of the joints, which can lead to severe pain, stiffness, swelling, and loss of function over time. Symptoms of arthritis pain can vary depending on the type, but often include a gradual onset of stiffness and swelling in the knee joint, as well as severe pain when weight is applied to the knee.
-Tendonitis: This is a condition that is caused by irritation or inflammation of the tendon, usually from overuse. Tendonitis is common on a number of tendons surrounding the knee, including the quadriceps tendon, the patellar tendon, or on the tendons of the hamstring muscles.
Symptoms of tendonitis include pain, swelling, and stiffness in the knee joint, as well as difficulty bending or straightening the knee due to limited movement range.
If you are suffering from any of these conditions or similar overuse injuries that are affecting your knees and causing pain, an Icy Hot product is a great option to help provide temporary relief.
However, it is important to consult a medical professional for medical help if your symptoms do not improve with self-care treatments or if they are worsening over time.
How to Use Icy Hot Products for Knee Pain – Terms of Use
If you are experiencing discomfort, muscle pain, minor aches, or other tough pain in your knees, there are a few different ways that you can use Icy Hot topical products to help provide temporary relief.
If you are using a gel, cream, rub, or no mess applicator, the first step is to simply massage a thin layer of the product directly onto the skin on your affected area over your knee joint.
If you are using a patch or spray, place the medicated patch or spray directly over the painful area or sore muscles. Once the warming sensation begins you know that you have put a sufficient amount of the product onto your skin, and will soon receive advanced relief.
One important thing to note is whenever you are utilizing topical pain relievers like topical NSAIDs it is very important to wash hands immediately following application. While Icy Hot can provide much-needed relief from your discomfort, I can assure you it is rather easy to rub your eyes, etc. unintentionally making the heating and cooling topical analgesics effects much less soothing.
While it may seem like a no-brainer, it is safe to say that this and most other topical creams are for external use only. This means that you should never ingest any type of topical analgesic or other product.
My last recommendation is to say to ensure to keep out of the reach of children. As we all know, children have the tendency to get into anything they can get their hands on. So keep this and any other type of topical pain medications in a secure or unreachable location for the safety of your children.
Side Effects of Icy Hot
While Icy Hot is a great option to help provide temporary relief from pain in your knees, it is important to be aware of the potential side effects that can occur, however unlikely.
Common side effects may include irritated skin, rash, itching, or burning sensations on the application site. These generally resolve themselves within a few days and do not require medical treatment.
Stop using Icy Hot and get a hold of your medical provider immediately if you exhibit any serious side effects, including blistering, swelling, severe redness at the application site, increased pain at the applied site, nausea or vomiting, and tinnitus. Allergic reactions, that would be considered serious, while taking this product are rare.
It is also safe to note that it is unknown if Icy Hot or any of its active ingredients can pass from mother to baby. Because of this, a breast-feeding warning is provided on this product.
Drug Interactions of Icy Hot
Some drugs interact with each other and may affect how well they work or increase your risk for side effects. Always give your doctor or pharmacist a list of all the products you take (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal supplements) to check for any potential interactions.
Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine without first getting approval from your doctor.
Other Conservative Treatment Options for Knee Pain
If you are looking for additional ways to help provide relief from your knee pain, there are a few different conservative treatment options that have been proven to be effective.
These include:
– Applying heat to the affected area: using a heating pad, a hot water bottle, or even a hot shower can help to ease stiffness and discomfort in your knee.
– Resting the joint: giving your joints a rest is an important part of managing any type of pain, so be sure to take breaks from activities that are causing you pain or discomfort.
– Try physical therapy: having a physical therapist show you specific exercises and stretches that can help to strengthen the muscles surrounding your knee joints is an effective way to provide relief from pain and discomfort.
– Consider acupuncture: if you are looking for a more holistic or alternative approach, acupuncture is another treatment option that is known to be effective in treating many types of pain.
– Taking pain medications: if your knee is particularly painful, it may be a good idea to speak with your doctor about taking oral NSAIDs, or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. These medications help to reduce inflammation and pain in the affected area.
Whatever Method You Choose
If you have tried these tips, and are still experiencing pain in your knees, it is important to consult with a medical professional for more detailed recommendations on how to manage your symptoms.
While topical treatments like Icy Hot can provide temporary relief from knee pain caused by inflammation or overuse, it is important to remember that there is no “one size fits all” solution.
The best way to find relief is to try a variety of different treatment options and incorporate healthy lifestyle habits into your daily routine. Whether you choose to use Icy Hot or another type of topical pain reliever, make sure that you are listening to your body and getting the rest, exercise, and support it needs to function at its best.