Diclophenac sodium, oxyphenbutazone and placebo in sports injuries of the knee.

In a double-blind between-patient study of 69 patients with sports injuries of the knee, diclophenac sodium (Voltaren) was significantly superior to oxyphenbutazone (Tanderil) and placebo in improving the degree of swelling and the condition of the injured knee. Both drugs were superior to placebo with regard to analgesia by the second day of treatment. In addition, diclophenac sodium significantly improved the condition of the injured knee by the end of the trial. Three patients dropped out of the trial for reasons not related to the drug. Two patients in the diclophenac sodium group failed to complete the trial due to rapid recovery and 1 each in the diclophenac sodium and oxyphenbutazone groups because of poor tolerability. Nine patients who completed the trial reported mild to moderate side-effects, consisting mainly of drowsiness and nausea.