The effect of diclofenac sodium and paracetamol on active and passive range of ankle motion after sprains

Lyrtzis C, Papadopoulos C, Natsis K, Noussios G. The effect of diclofenac sodium and paracetamol on active and passive range of ankle motion after sprains. J. Hum. Sport Exerc. Vol. 6, No. 1, pp. 40-48, 2011. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a NSAID, Diclofenac sodium, and an analgesic, Paracetamol in the reduction of pain and in the passive and active range of ankle motion of severe sprains. Ninety patients, 18 to 60 years old, with severe acute ankle sprain were randomized in two groups. Group A (45 patients) were given Diclofenac sodium tabs 75 mg 2 times a day for the first 10 days. The patients in group B (45 patients) received Paracetamol tabs 500 mg, 3 times daily for the pain. The patients had no significant differences concerning their baseline values (p>0.05). The restriction of active and passive ankle range of motion was significant decreased in both groups on the 10th day in comparison to the arrival day (p<0.05). There were no significant differences found between the two groups (p>0.05). The pain decreased in both groups on the third day and the tenth day (p<0.001). According to these results, both Diclofenac sodium and Paracetamol had the same effect on pain reduction, on passive and active range of ankle joint motion after sprains during the first 10 post traumatic days.