[Objectification of the efficacy of an ointment for joint injuries using a volumetric method]

Distorsions of the upper ankle joint in 27 sport students were treated with an ointment dressing once daily in a double-blind test over 8 days. 14 cases were treated with Hepathrombin-50,000-Salbe Adenylchemie (100 g contain 50,000 I.E. heparin, 300 mg allantoin and 400 mg dexpanthenol) and 13 cases with the ointment base. The therapeutic effect was objectified based on measurements taken after 1, 2, 4, and 8 days of the foot volume (weight of displaced water by overflow at 23 cm height) and mobility of the joint. Moreover, resting, movement and pressure pain were individually assessed and compiled as a pain score (0-12). In the Hepathrombin group, swelling subsided continuously from 100 to 42% and the pain score decreased from 12 to 3. With application of the ointment base, swelling increased at first to 114% after 2 days, then decreased until Day 8 to 86% of the initial value. The pain score decreased from 12 to 7. The superiority of Hepathrombin-Salbe over the ointment base could be statistically demonstrated; the difference between the two groups was significant with respect to swelling after just one day, and with respect to joint mobility after just 2 days of treatment.