Diclofenac for pain relief after arthroscopy: a comparison of early and delayed treatment.
The effect of diclofenac on pain after arthroscopy of the knee joint was investigated in 64 patients. The aim of this double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised study was to compare administration before surgery with delayed treatment. The effect on postoperative pain was evaluated by means of a Visual Analogue Scale and recording of the need for additional analgesics postoperatively. After surgery, hourly assessments were performed within 6 h after the anaesthetic block (approximately 5 h after start of surgery), and on the morning after surgery. Both treatment with diclofenac before surgery and delayed treatment were superior to placebo concerning pain scores within 6 h after onset of anaesthesia (P < 0.0065 and P < 0.0005, respectively). On the morning after surgery, only delayed treatment was superior to placebo (P < 0.02). No differences in pain scores were evident between the different groups treated with diclofenac. No differences in the need for additional analgesics were found.
Sandin
R
R
Department of Anaesthesia, Länssjukhuset, Kalmar, Sweden.
Sternlo
J E
JE
Stam
H
H
Brodd
B
B
Björkman
R
R
D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects; D004008:Diclofenac / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013997:Time Factors
D004008:Diclofenac