Materials and methods: 60 patients of Osteoarthritis were divided into 2 groups of 30 each. Group I patients received buprenorphine transdermal patch 10μg-hr per week and group II patients received diclofenac sodium patch 200 mg per day. Numeric rating scale (NRS) and WOMAC index was recorded.

Results: Group I had 16 males and 14 females and group II had 12 males and 18 females. The mean pain score before applying patch was 6.5 and 6.1 in group I and II, after 1 week was 5.4 and 3.2 in group I and II, after 2 weeks was 4.3 and 2.3 and after 3 weeks was 3.5 and 3.1 in group I and II respectively. The mean WOMAC index before applying patch was 58.5 and 59.2 in group I and II, after 1 week was 35.4 and 29.2 in group I and II, after 2 weeks was 27.2 and 19.2 and after 3 weeks was 26.5 and 25.1 in group I and II respectively. The difference was significant (P< 0.05).

Conclusion: Both diclofenac and buprenorphine patch is an effective and safe treatment modality for symptomatic OA of the knee.