[Piroxicam gel versus diclofenac gel in active gonarthroses]

In this single-blind comparative study 97 patients suffering from activated gonarthrosis were treated with either 4 x 40 mg of diclofenac gel or 4 x 5 mg piroxicam gel. Owing to protocol violations, 28 patients were not included in the statistical evaluation. During the course of the treatment, a marked decrease in signs and symptoms was observed in the 69 patients included in the evaluation. In 80% of the patients, the treating physician assessed the efficacy of piroxicam gel as "good" or "excellent", in only 20% it was assessed as "moderate". In the diclofenac group, assessment of the results was positive in 74% of the patients. In 24% of the patients of this group, the physician's assessment of the success of the treatment was "not satisfactory". The majority of physicians and patients were satisfied with the toleration of the drugs used in this study. Only 2 patients (5.6%) of the piroxicam group and 4 patients (12.2%) of the diclofenac group were critical of local toleration. The results of this clinical trial show that the preparations used here are appropriate for local therapy of distortions of the ankle joint.