Phase III, multinational, multicentre, randomized, prospective, double blind, parallel groups, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the analgesic effects of Test Diclofenac Sodium 140mg medicated plaster, Reference DIEP 180 mg medicated plaster, Flector® and Placebo plaster in patients with painful and phlogistic disease due to acute traumatic events of the limbs.

This will be a Phase III, multinational, multicentre, randomized, prospective, double blind, parallel groups, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the analgesic effects of Test Diclofenac Sodium 140mg medicated plaster (once a day), Reference DIEP 180 mg medicated plaster, Flector® (once a day) and Placebo plaster once a day (i.e. the placebo arm) in patients with painful and phlogistic (inflammatory response) disease due to acute traumatic events (injury/contusion) of the limbs.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Male or female, age range 18-65 years (included);
2. Patient with painful and phlogistic (inflammatory response) disease due to acute traumatic events (injury/contusion) of the limbs;
3. Patient with pain at rest in only one limb surface area affected by injury/contusion;
4. Written informed consent to participate in the study obtained according to GCP;
5. Patients able to comprehend the full nature and the purpose of the study, including possible risks and side effects, and able to cooperate with the Investigator and to comply with the requirements of the entire study (including ability to attend all the planned study visits according to the time limits), based on Investigator's judgement;
6. Good general health as determined by the Investigator based on medical history and physical examination;
7. Female of child-bearing potential (i.e. not in menopausal status from at least one year or permanently sterilized) must have a negative urine pregnancy test prior the first IMP administration;
8. Presence of pain at rest in the injured area, defined by patient with a VAS ≥40 mm and ≤80 mm at Visit 1 on a 100 mm VAS

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patient with a chronic painful or phlogistic disease (from more than three months);
2. Patient with painful or phlogistic disease arising from fractures or severe trauma events;
3. Pregnancy or lactation period throughout the whole study duration;
4. If female and of child-bearing potential, patient not using a highly effective method of birth control. Highly effective birth control methods include: combined hormonal contraception (containing estrogen and progestogen) associated with inhibition of ovulation (oral, intravaginal, transdermal); progestogen-only hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation (oral, injectable, implantable); intrauterine device (IUD); intrauterine hormone-releasing system (IUS); bilateral tubal occlusion; vasectomised partner; sexual abstinence*;
5. Presence of concurrent skin disorders or open wounds in the area to be treated;
6. History of alcohol or drug abuse;
7. History of allergy or hypersensitivity or intolerance to diclofenac and/or to active or inactive excipients of formulation;
8. Known hypersensitivity to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and to paracetamol;
9. Use of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics in the week before Visit 1 (with the exception of paracetamol, which should not be taken in the previous 8 hours), oral corticosteroids within 2 weeks or intravenous corticosteroids within 4 weeks before Visit 1. Chronic intake of small doses of acetylsalicylic acid (≤ 162 mg/day) taken for at least 30 days prior to the first dose of study medication for non-analgesic reasons may be continued (with no change on dosage) for the duration of the study;
10. Any other treatment or medication for the same or other indications that, according to its pharmacological properties and in the opinion of the Investigator, can alter the perception of pain (e.g. heparinoids or other anticoagulant agents, opioids, psychotropic agents, anti H1 agents or analgesics like glucocorticosteroids, etc.) in the week before Visit 1;
11. Any other concomitant treatment (e.g. cosmetics, ointments at the treated area) or medication that cannot be interrupted and interferes with the conduct of the trial;
12. History of active or suspected esophageal, gastric, pyloric channel, or duodenal ulceration or bleeding within 30 days before Visit 1;
13. History of uncontrolled chronic or acute concomitant disease (e.g. cardiac dysfunction, liver dysfunction, hemorrhagic diathesis, …) which, in the Investigator's opinion, would contraindicate study participation or confound interpretation of the results;
14. Known malignant diseases in the last 5 years;
15. Pre-treatment of the traumatic event (injury/contusion) target of this study. Previous cooling (with ice, cooling spray) is authorized prior to Visit 1 (but not in the three hours preceding Visit 1);
16. Anticipated poor compliance by the patient;
17. Previous participation in this clinical trial;
18. Any relevant surgical treatment during the previous 2 months or planned during the trial;
19. Patient with a history of serious psychiatric disorders;
20. Participation in any other clinical study within 30 days prior to Visit 1. *Note: According to 4.1 paragraph "Birth control methods which may be considered as highly effective" of the CTFG/Recommendations related to contraception and pregnancy testing in clinical trials

double blind