Phonophoresis with diclofenac versus ketoprofen for knee joint injuries

Aim: To assess the response in pain control after the use of two drugs, diclofenac versus ketoprofen, in the process of phonophoresis. Methodology: One hundred and fifty Libyan patients with soft tissue injuries of knee joint were randomly assigned to receive phonophoresis with diclofenac (group A) or ketoprofen (group B). Both groups received ultrasound therapy three times per week for two weeks. The patients indicated their pain level by marking on a visual analog pain scale (VAS) at the start of treatment, and at the end of the second week. ANOVA for repeated measures was used to analyse the data. Results: At the end of two weeks of treatment, both groups showed a significant decrease in pain level, but for group B pain level decreased more significantly than group A. Conclusion: We conclude that process of therapeutic phonophoresis with ketoprofen gel is significantly more effective than diclofenac gel in reducing the pain of soft tissue injuries of the knee joint.