Sports-related
soft tissue injuries, such as
sprains, strains, and
contusions, are a common painful condition. Current treatment includes oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (
NSAIDs), which have a high incidence of intolerable gastrointestinal side effects. Topically applied drugs have the potential to act locally in the soft tissues without systemic effects. This study assessed the efficacy and safety of topical
diclofenac (
NSAID) patch applied directly to the painful injury site for the treatment of acute minor
sports injury pain. Adult subjects (N = 222) were recruited from two communities for a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel design study. All subjects had suffered a painful minor
sports injury within the prior 72 hours of study entry. Either a
diclofenac epolamine or placebo topical patch was applied directly to the skin overlying the painful injured site twice daily for 2 weeks. Measures of
pain intensity were performed in a daily diary and at
clinic visits on days 3, 7, and 14.
Diclofenac patch was superior to placebo patch in relieving
pain. Statistical significance was seen on clinic days 3 (P = 0.036) and 14 (P = 0. 048), as well as the daily diary
pain ratings at days 3, 7, and 14 (P < or =0.044). No statistically significant differences were seen in any safety or side-effect measures with the
diclofenac patch as compared to the placebo patch.
Diclofenac epolamine patch is an effective and safe
pain reliever for treatment of minor
sports injury pain. The advantages of this novel
therapy include its ease of use and lack of systemic side effects.