According to a study published in Rheumatology International, the gel-based Ibuprofen phonophoresis shows significant clinical efficacy in managing knee osteoarthritis.   

Ilke Coskun Benlidayi and colleagues conducted a randomized, single-blinded, comparative study to evaluate  Ibuprofen gel and cream phonophoresis effectiveness in patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis. Phonophoresis is a way in which ultrasound is used to improve the delivery of topical drugs. The selection of patients for this analysis was based on American College of Rheumatology criteria. A total of 63 patients of mean age 57.9 ± 9.7 years were assigned randomly either to Ibuprofen cream or  Ibuprofen gel group. Both groups went through 10 sessions in two weeks. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) was used to measure the main outcomes during analysis.

Both groups reflected similar baseline VAS and WOMAC scores and  showed an improvement in both VAS and WOMAC. However, after application, the group received gel phonophoresis showed better VAS and WOMAC scores as compared to cream phonophoresis (p < 0.001). The results enlighten that gel Ibuprofen phonophoresis has better results than cream form.