A trial with diclofenac HEP plaster as topical treatment in minor sport injuries.

Diclofenac HEP plaster was tested in an open study in the treatment of different traumatic sport and overload injuries, to confirm the results of efficacy and tolerability already shown in other clinical studies. A total of 101 patients were assigned to treatment and were eligible for the evaluation of results at the end of a 14-day treatment period. The average score of spontaneous pain, assessed by means of a verbal scale and a visual analogical scale, showed a clear difference in pain rating between the beginning and end of treatment. In general 60% pain reduction was observed. The difference in analgesic activity was already apparent on the 7th day of treatment (-28%). The reduction of pain was confirmed by changes in another subjective sign related to the injury: provoked pain. This symptom decreased in a manner comparable to spontaneous pain: 61% pain reduction after 2 weeks of treatment. Global assessment of efficacy, performed by the investigator at the end of treatment, showed the clear therapeutic activity of local treatment with diclofenac HEP plaster. Satisfactory results were obtained and only 18% of the patients (most of them with chronic and persistent pain) experienced ineffective pain relief at the end of the 2-week treatment. The beneficial effects of diclofenac HEP plaster on pain are confirmed by the patients' assessment, since almost identical scores were obtained. It is striking that the overall tolerance of diclofenac HEP plaster, applied topically twice a day for 2 weeks, was "good" or "excellent" in the 101 patients treated. Any side effect was reported on the patient's card and all the patients completed the study.