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Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials

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ISSN (Print): 1574-8871
ISSN (Online): 1876-1038

Research Article

Arnica compositum, Hekla lava and Acidum Nitricum Together are Superior to Arnica compositum Alone in the Local Treatment of Symptomatic Calcific Periarthritis of the Shoulder: A Pilot Study

Author(s): Simone Zanella*, Francesco Buccelletti, Francesco Franceschi, Claudio Ramponi, Federica Spagnolli, Gianpaolo Sacchetti, Giovanna Oliva and Franco Lumachi

Volume 13, Issue 2, 2018

Page: [150 - 155] Pages: 6

DOI: 10.2174/1574887113666180319165700

Price: $65

Abstract

Background: To evaluate the usefulness of Arnica compositum (AC) + Acidum nitricum (AN) + Hekla lava (HL) ointment in Emergency Medicine Department (EMD) as alternative nonpharmacological local treatment of patients with symptomatic calcific periarthritis of the shoulder (CPS) and to compare the effectiveness of this mixture against AC ointment alone.

Methods: A series of 41 consecutive patients (20 women, 19 men, median age 49 years, range 25-80 years) with non-traumatic painful unilateral CPS were randomly assigned to receive local treatment with AC+AN+HL ointment mixture (Group A, cases, N=21) or AC ointment alone (Group B, controls, N=20). The radiological Gartner classification of the CPS, and the quantification of pre- and post-treatment pain intensity using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were obtained. The orthopedic evaluation of Shoulder Motion (SM) was also performed. The use of painkillers was reported as a number of doses needed.

Results: Age, gender distribution, Gartner type, main calcification size, baseline VAS (VAS-0) and degree of SM did not differ (p=NS) between Groups. After 3-day therapy, the reduction of pain in Group A (4.5±2.5) was superior to that observed in Group B (2.7±2.6) (p =0.03). The same result was observed in the improvement of SM in Group A (69.4±24.9) than in Group B (51.1±21.1) (p =0.015). No local or general adverse effects were noted. The number of doses of paracetamol was similar, but Group A patients used less ibuprofen (p =0.007).

Conclusion: Local administration of the AC+AN+HL ointment mixture, which in our pilot study was superior to AC alone, could be safely suggested as an alternative uneventful treatment of patients with CPS.

Keywords: Acidum nitricum, anti-inflammatory activity, arnica compositum, calcific periarthritis of the shoulder, hekla lava.

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