In a double-blind, placebo-controlled comparative study in 60 patients with
ankle sprains suffering from moderate to severe
inflammation and tenderness, the efficacy and tolerability of 150 mg/day
diclofenac potassium given for 7 days was superior to that of 1.2 g/day
ibuprofen which was, in turn, superior to placebo. Efficacy was assessed by volumetric evaluation of
inflammation of the injured ankle, tenderness on finger pressure,
pain on movement and the severity of the joint injury. Patients used visual analogue scales to assess severity of
pain at rest and on walking before and during treatment.
Diclofenac potassium was significantly superior (P less than 0.02) to
ibuprofen for all measures of efficacy (except severity of joint injury) and
ibuprofen was consistently superior to placebo. No serious adverse effects were reported. In conclusion,
diclofenac potassium has been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of acute
ankle sprains and it had a rapid onset of action and good tolerability.