Efficacy of etodolac on gait in hip osteoarthritis as assessed by Bessou's locometer: a randomized, crossover, double-blind study versus placebo. Groupe de Recherche sur le Handicap de L'appareil Locomoteur.

Objectives: To assess the efficacy of a single, oral dose of etodolac (300 mg), a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug, on gait and pain in patients with unilateral hip osteoarthritis (hOA).

Design: Sixteen patients (8 F, 8 M; mean age: 61+/-11.2 years) with painful hOA were included in a randomized, crossover, double-blind study versus placebo. Space and time parameters were assessed using Bessou's locometer and pain was evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) at t0 (before taking the drug), t60 (min), t120, and t180 after taking a 300-mg tablet of etodolac.

Results: Walking speed was significantly faster only between t0 and t180 under etodolac versus placebo (P< 0.02). Walking speed increased between t0, t60, t120 and t180 with etodolac (P< 0.003), but not with placebo. Stride length increased (P< 0.0001) only on the hOA side, while the time parameters of gait for etodolac- and placebo-treated patients did not differ. VAS values differed significantly at t0 (P< 0.01) between etodolac and placebo groups, but no significant difference was observed at t60, t120 and t180.

Conclusions: Bessou's locometer was able to demonstrate the efficacy of 300 mg of etodolac on gait in hOA. Walking speed was faster 3 h after taking the drug, essentially due to a greater stride length. Pain reduction in the etodolac group contributed to gait improvement. It was concluded that gait performances improved because of less hip pain and thus a greater range of motion after etodolac intake.