Not at all, although you can see on TV particles of "an innovative drug" penetrate through the skin directly into the affected area and healing the damaged tissues. No doubt, a cream or ointment particles can penetrate the skin. However they would never be able to penetrate the joint: the articular bag would not allow such a penetration. It is tight enough to prevent anything from penetrating into it through the skin. A cream, at best, can only provide a local anesthetic effect. The well-known method of applying compresses with Dimexide solutions on the sore joint is also capable to achieve only a temporary symptomatic result.