Treatment of ankle sprain in patients with vascular diseases of the lower limbs

Patients (with venous or arterial disease) are particularly affected by even minor sprains as edema, swelling are more disabling and cause a more severe clinical picture. In such vulnerable population, it is imperative to rehabilitate the patient in shortest possible time to regain the functionality of the injured joint and thus assure ambulation. The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of locally applied and orally administered ketoprofen in a group of 41 patients with vascular diseases of lower limbs with accidental grade I ankle sprain. Forty one patients were included in this study and divided into in three treatment groups: ketoprofen 10% spray gel* (360 mg/die), oral ketoprofen (tablets, 25 mg t.i.d. and control group (no pharmacological treatment). The duration of treatment was one week. The three groups of patients were comparable for age and sex distribution and for the clinical characteristics at inclusion. After seven days of treatment all patients experienced reduction of symptoms (pain at rest and on active movement, swelling) which was significant only in patients treated by topical, local application of ketoprofen. The effects of oral treatment were not significantly different from those observed in untreated controls. The minimal effort treadmill testing showed significant increase in pain-free walking distance in patients who applied the medication locally in comparison to the other groups. The tolerability of locally applied ketoprofen was good and no side effects were noted. The observed clinical outcomes of the patients included in this small, pilot study indicated that locally applied ketoprofen 10% spray gel is effective in relieving the pain and other symptoms of ankle sprain in vascular patients.