Dear Doctor: Is a topical cream a real fix for chronic back pain?

Dear Doctor Roach: For several years, I’ve been dealing with lower back pain (lumbar facet arthritis, disc degeneration and spinal stenosis, as well as right-sided lumbar radiculopathy) and feet pain (plantar fasciitis in both feet). In addition to physical therapy, I’ve received cortisone shots in my feet and epidurals in my back that have helped, although I’m going back every five to six months to repeat the shots since the pain always returns.