Auclair 1989.

Methods	R, DB, PC, parallel groups Gel massaged into skin over affected heel 3 times daily after cleaning with soap and water for up to 21 days Assessment at baseline, 7, 21 days
Participants	Acute Achilles heel tendinitis (not associated with continuous pain at rest or > 1 month history) N = 243 (227 analysed for efficacy) M/F not reported Mean age 29 years Baseline pain: ˜ 10% had < 26 mm on palpation of tendon, ˜ 30% had mild or no pain on dorsiflexion of foot Exclusions: failure to meet inclusion criteria, major protocol violations, failure to take study medication for full duration
Interventions	Niflumic acid gel 2.5%, 3 x 5 g daily, n = 117 Placebo gel, n = 110 No other analgesics and anti‐inflammatories, physiotherapy or supportive measures allowed
Outcomes	PGE: 5‐point scale (responder = "good" or "very good") Pain improved or disappeared on dorsiflexion Adverse events Withdrawals and exclusions
Notes	Oxford Quality Score: R1, DB1, W1. Total = 3/5
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	Not described
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) All outcomes	Unclear risk	10% excluded for "failing to meet entry criteria and protocol violations". No further details
Size	Unclear risk	50 to 200 participants per treatment group