A placebo-controlled evaluation of diclofenac diethylamine salt in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis of the elbow

Thirty-two patients with lateral epicondylitis of the elbow were treated for two weeks with either diclofenac diethylamine salt or placebo gel. Pain (at res, on active and passive movement, on firm pressure, and on resisted dorsiflexion at 0° and 30°) and grip strength were measured, functional capacity of the affected limb was evaluated, and the efficacy and tolerability of the drug were assessed. The results show a statistically significant gradually increasing clinical improvement in patients treated with diclofenac gel as compared with the control group, as well as a good tolerability of the drug in the treatment of soft-tissue rheumatism.