Comparison of intravenous ibuprofen and tenoxicam efficiency in ankle injury: a randomized, double-blind study

Background and aim Pain after soft tissue injuries in and around the ankle is a troublesome process in terms of patient comfort and mobilization. The aim of this study was to compare the analgesic efficacy of intravenous ibuprofen and intravenous tenoxicam in patients with acute musculoskeletal pain due to ankle injury. Methods We conducted a prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled study in a tertiary hospital. The patients were divided into two groups as those administered IV 400 mg ibuprofen and IV 20 mg tenoxicam. After the treatment of the patients, visual analog scale (VAS) scores were recorded at 15, 30, 60, and 120 min. VAS scores were compared with the effectiveness of drugs, their side effects, and the need for rescue drugs. Results One hundred and twenty-four patients were included in the study. There were 62 patients in the tenoxicam group and 62 patients in the ibuprofen group. When VAS scores were compared, it was found that the VAS scores of the ibuprofen group were statistically significantly lower (p < 0.001). When the Delta VAS scores were compared, it was observed that the Delta VAS scores of the ibuprofen group were statistically significantly higher from 30 min (p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant difference in favor of ibuprofen between the two drug groups in terms of the need for rescue analgesics (p < 0.001). Conclusion. The analgesic efficacy of intravenous ibuprofen and tenoxicam is equal after an ankle injury. However, after 30 min of drug administration, ibuprofen provides more effective analgesia than tenoxicam.