Evaluation of the effectiveness of ketorolac or external use in the complex treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joints

Abstract

Introduction. The problem of treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) remains relevant due to the high prevalence of the disease, the insecurity of drugs used by patients in the treatment of pain. The knee joints are most often affected. Chronic pain, impaired joint function significantly reduce the quality of life of patients, lead to the destabilization of concomitant diseases. In the complex therapy of OA, local remedies are widely used.Objective. To study the effectiveness of ketorolac for external use (KEU)in the complex therapy of osteoarthritis of the knee joints (OAKJ).Materials and methods. 58 patients with OAKJ of II-III radiological stages were studied. The main group (n = 30) in the complex treatment of the disease used KEU locally for two weeks. In the control group (n = 28), as in the main one, physiotherapy, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were used, KEU was not prescribed.Results. The values of VAS at rest and when walking after a week of treatment significantly differed from the initial values in the main group of patients (p < 0.01 for VAS when walking, p < 0.05 for VAS at rest). The WOMAC pain index was also significantly lower than its initial values (p < 0.01). Positive dynamics of clinical indicators was also observed in the control group, however, there were no significant differences after a week of therapy for both your VAS at rest and the WOMAC function index. The reliability of the differences with the baseline in the main group was maintained after two weeks of observation, and the value of the WOMAC function index was significantly different (p < 0.01). In the control after two weeks of treatment, the values of the severity of pain according to VAS at rest, the index of WOMAC function did not reach significant differences with the baseline. After a week and two weeks of treatment in the main group, positive results were achieved in 17 (56.3%) and 23 (76.6%) patients, respectively. In the control group, positive therapy results were observed in 13 (46.4%) and 18 (64.2%) patients, respectively, at the control periods of observation.Сonclusion. The use of KEU is effective and appropriate in the complex therapy of OAKJ.