Shell is absolutely right and I can't believe your doctor said this

but even if they did in your case they may be prepared to take the risk but that does not mean they would for all patients. NSAIDs in all forms can cause damage to your stomach, I have been refused gels, and pads by my doctor, my surgeon, and a private specialist who all said the same thing, no way would they prescribe them post op, they said the marginal relief that exterior application would give is not worth the risk. My doctor did give me a cream that is based upon chilli extract that numbs the nerve endings in the area where the inflammation is felt. It burns a bit but really helped me with the pain. I don't remember what it was called but it was good