OBJECTIVE FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFICACY OF TENOXICAM IN THE TREATMENT OF ACUTE LOW BACK PAIN. A DOUBLE-BLIND PLACEBO-CONTROLLED STUDY

The efficacy of an NSAID (tenoxicam) in the treatment of acute low back pain (LBP) was assessed in a double blind controlled study by using an objective functional evaluation. Seventy-three patients consulting for acute LBP were randomized into two groups: Group I was treated with tenoxicam for 14 days and Group II was given a placebo. Trunk function was measured with a computerized isoinertial dynamometric trunk testing device (Isostation B200). Isometric and dynamic torques, range of motion and movement velocities were measured before treatment and after 14 days. Clinical evaluation was realized by the patient on a pain visual analogue scale (VAS) on days 1, 8 and 15 and by the investigator on a five-point scale on days 8 and 15. The functional evaluation showed significant differences in favour of the tenoxicam treatment for velocity and extension isometric torque. VAS and investigator evaluations showed a significant difference in favour of tenoxicam on day 8 but no difference on day 15. This study shows that the use of tenoxicam in acute LBP is of interest. Tenoxicam has an effect on pain during the first part of the treatment and may help to restore full function even if the symptoms have disappeared.