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Understanding Topical Diclofenac for Knee Osteoarthritis

This study is looking at how different patient and clinic visit details affect how well people with knee osteoarthritis (OA) respond to a common pain medication. Researchers want to see if your individual characteristics, your body's responses during a clinic visit, or aspects of the visit itself can predict how much relief you get from topical diclofenac gel 1%. This gel is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) applied to the skin. The study will measure your knee pain and how well you can use your knee after 8 weeks. You might be able to join if you are 50 or older, speak English, have confirmed knee OA, and experience regular knee pain. The study is currently unclear on its recruitment status.

Study design
This is an interventional study planning to enroll 220 participants. It is not specified if it is randomized or blinded.
What's involved
You will attend two study visits, apply topical diclofenac to your knee for 8 weeks, and answer questions about your pain and medication use every other week via text message.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your knee pain and function will be measured at 8 weeks after starting the intervention.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06574191

The Effects of Patient and Visit Characteristics on Health Outcomes in Knee Osteoarthritis

Recruiting
NAAges 50+InterventionalBasic science
University of California, Davis
~220 participants
Updated 2026-03-30 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Topical Diclofenac gel 1%

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Knee Pain
Measured over 8 weeks
+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

Knee Osteoarthritis

Explore related trials

Osteoarthritis of knee

NCT06574191

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • University of California Davis Health

    Sacramento, Californiastudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

Study leadership

  • Michelle Dossett, MD, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of California, Davis

Who to contact

Maya Porter
[email protected]
916-734-4216
Email the study team

Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

English-speaking
50 years of age or older
Radiographically confirmed knee OA of K/L grade 2 or higher within the past 2 years
Knee pain at least 15 days/month.
Average worst daily pain 3/10 or higher over a two-week period.

Exclusion

Medical contraindication to taking NSAIDs such as: history of coronary artery bypass graft, myocardial infarction, coronary artery stent placement, or stroke within the past 6 months; systolic heart failure with ejection fraction \<45%; chronic kidney disease stage ≥4; severe gastrointestinal bleed or stomach ulcer within the past 6 months; current pregnancy; cirrhosis; currently taking blood thinners (aspirin 81 mg daily is okay); allergy to NSAIDs or aspirin; or any other medical contraindication to using topical NSAIDs.
Inflammatory arthritis
Partial or total knee replacement of the index knee
Recent therapeutic injection of the index knee (less than 12 weeks)
Planned knee/lower limb surgery during the two-month study period
Active cancer treatment not in remission or life expectancy less than 6 months
Inability to provide informed consent (e.g. dementia)
Current use of topical or oral NSAIDs more than 3 days per week.
Inability to receive text messages or emails to complete questionnaires between study visits.
Unable to follow the study protocol.

What this trial measures

  • Knee Pain8 weeks

    Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) pain score from the index knee at 8 weeks. Score range 0-20. Higher scores signify worse pain.

  • Knee Function8 weeks

    Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) physical function score from the index knee at 8 weeks. Score range 0-68. Higher scores signify worse function.