Methods	RCT, DB, parallel groups New patches applied to the affected painful area for 12 consecutive hours twice daily, for up to 14 days Assessed at baseline, 14 days in clinic and daily patient diary
Participants	Minor sports injuries (sprains, sprains, contusions, <72 hours) N = 372 M 253, F 119 Mean age 33 years Baseline pain at rest ≥5/10
Interventions	Diclofenac epolamine patch (Flector Tissuegel) 2 × daily (equivalent to 140 mg diclofenac sodium/patch), n = 191 Placebo patch, n = 181
Outcomes	PGE: 5 point scale (responder = “good” and “excellent”) Pain resolved: <moderate for 2 days Spontaneous pain: 10 cm VAS (mean data) Adverse events Withdrawals
Notes	Oxford Quality Score: R1, DB2, W1. Total = 4/5 Oxford Validity Score: 16/16
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors’ judgement	Support for judgement
Random sequence generation (selection bias)	Unclear risk	Not described
Allocation concealment (selection bias)	Unclear risk	Not described
Blinding (performance bias and detection bias) All outcomes	Unclear risk	“Systeme identique” without diclofenac