Topical indomethacin in overuse injuries in athletes. A randomized double-blind study comparing Elmetacin with oral indomethacin and placebo

Abstract

In this double-blind trial in 70 athletes with superficial overuse injuries, the effect of topically and systemically administered indomethacin was compared with a placebo control. The treatment period was 2 weeks and blindness was secured by the double-dummy technique. The basic data of the patients showed no significant differences on entry to the study. The majority of cases were acute or subacute, the mean duration of symptoms being 7.4 weeks. The results showed a marked therapeutic effect after 3-7 days of treatment and statistically significant differences between the topical formulation and the placebo were reached in the parameters patients assessment of improvement and pain in connection with daily activity within the first week of treatment. However, during the second week the statistical significances were lost. Only in the topically treated patients local adverse reactions were observed. In the oral indomethacin group all reactions were systemic, GI- and CNS-complaints being predominant. The results on efficacy as well as adverse reactions favour the use of topical indomethacin in superficial overuse injuries in athletes.