I get some relief from topical administration modes with the NSAIDs, absolutely none whatsoever from paracetamol in any form (I've had it given me via IV in hospital, which I thought ridiculous. They insisted, whilst I was suffering some of the most intense pain I'd ever had in my life, that before they'd give me a (shitty, near enough inactive, knowing full well I was a chronic pain patient) dose of morphine, that I had to have IV paracetamol first, after I told them I've tried it enough times orally to know it doesn't. bloody. well. work. It does reduce fever in me but does absolutely nothing for pain, of even the most insignificant nature.
I use ibuprofen gel/cream on my buggered up knee joint and sometimes hips (which are the worse of the two sources of discomfort for me) although especially on my hips its both a nuisance to use, messy and I generally just don't like the feel of it. And its great at making for dirty skin when it goes all tacky and ew. Reminded me actually since I have a dr appt later, to ask about transdermal patch forms (at least to give them a test) for the antiinflammatories. And its probably time I booked more steroid shots done into my knee and hip joints, those actually really do seem to help loosen me up and get me moving less like an old man, instead of limping slower than a queue in line for a stale dog fart-sniffing contest.